HUBS 191: Human Body Systems Terminology

• This pre-lecture material prepares students for the HUBS 191 lecture and assists note-taking, but it is not a substitute for the lecture.
• The pre-lecture material corresponds to the live lecture, but it may have differences or additions.

Human Body Systems (HUBS) 191 Terminology

• This lecture material covers terminology in Human Body Systems (HUBS) 191.
• Dr. Charlotte King from the Department of Anatomy is the presenter.

Objectives

• Explain the concept of homeostasis
• Explain the Anatomical Position
• Define terms describing spatial and positional relationships of structures.
• Define and demonstrate terms of movements as related to joints.

Why is Terminology Important?

• Effective communication requires precise terminology.
• Terminology avoids vague descriptions or directions
• Look up unfamiliar words and use etymology (study of word origins) to understand them.
• Homeostasis comes from "homeo-" (the same) and "stasis-" (stopping, staying), therefore 'staying the same'.

Homeostasis

• Underlies normal function of human body systems
• Conditions in the internal environment are maintained.
• Regulatory mechanisms ensure controlled variables stay near the set-point, for temperature and ion concentrations (calcium, potassium, sodium)
• Regulatory mechanisms also apply to blood sugar levels and Fluid balance + more

Homeostasis Feedback and Feedforward

• Feedback occurs when the body attempts to return a controlled variable to "normal" after it moves too far from the set point, reducing blood flow to the skin to reduce heat loss, and you might also start shivering to produce heat as a result of being very cold.
• Feedforward occurs when anticipating an event that might alter a controlled variable, and minimizes the effect, putting on warm clothing before going outside in the snow.
• The concepts will be explored further in HUBS 191 and 192.

Homeostasis Examples and Considerations

• You can consider how the body responds when body temperature rises.
• You can consider what behaviours are consciously done to correct the temperature increase.
• The external environment affects the body, so take into account your response.

Anatomical Terminology

• Specific terminology is used for body parts, directions, and movements.
• The Upper Limb includes the arm, forearm, and hand
• The Lower Limb includes the thigh, leg, and foot

Anatomical Position

• The anatomical position consists of standing upright, facing forward, feet together, and palms facing forward.
• The anatomical position remains the same regardless of movement to ensure consistency

Terms of Direction

• Terms of direction describe body parts in relation to other parts.
• Anterior refers to the front
• Posterior refers to the back
• Superior means toward the head
• Inferior means toward the feet
• Medial means toward the midline
• Lateral means away from the midline
• Proximal is closer to the joint
• Distal is further from the joint

Depth and Body Planes

• Deep refers to further from the surface
• Superficial refers to closer to the surface
• Sagittal divides the body into left and right pieces
• Midsagittal / median plane divides the body into mirror-image left and right halves.
• Coronal divides the body into front and back sections.
• Transverse divides the body into top and bottom sections.

Movement Types

• Movement occurs in planes
• Sagittal movements are back and forward
• Coronal movements are side to side
• Transverse movements are rotating
• Flexion decreases the angle, bringing fleshy parts of limbs closer.
• Extension increases the angle.
• Dorsiflexion brings toes up towards the face.
• Plantarflexion points toes towards the ground.
• Abduction moves a limb away from the midline at a joint.
• Adduction moves a limb toward the midline at a joint.
• Inversion turns the sole of the foot toward the midline.
• Eversion turns the sole of the foot away from the midline.
• Circumduction combines flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction, but NOT rotation.
• Rotation involves movement around the long axis of a joint.
• Lateral (external) rotation
• Medial (internal) rotation

Specialised Movements

• Pronation involves the palm facing posterior.
• Supination involves the palm facing anterior and the forearm bones being parallel.

Homework

• It is recommended to practice using the new terminologies.
• It is recommended to get into the habit of using scientific names for body parts/regions.
• It is recommended to practice the movements.

Lecture Summary

• Homeostasis maintains "normal" set points of bodily functions.
• The anatomical position serves as a defined reference point for anatomy.
• The body can be sectioned in different planes.
• Describing anatomical location involves relating one structure to another.
• For example, the nose is superior to the chin, and the thumb is lateral to the index finger.
• Movement can be defined by its specific terminology.