Human Anatomy Basics

Overview of Human Anatomy

• Study of the structure and organization of living things
• Divided into two main branches:
  • Microscopic anatomy (study of cells and tissues)
  • Macroscopic anatomy (study of organs and organ systems)

Organ Systems

• Nervous system: brain, spinal cord, nerves
• Circulatory system: heart, blood vessels
• Respiratory system: lungs, trachea, bronchi
• Digestive system: mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine
• Endocrine system: glands that produce hormones (e.g. thyroid, pancreas)
• Integumentary system: skin, hair, nails
• Muscular system: skeletal muscles, smooth muscles
• Skeletal system: bones, joints
• Urinary system: kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra
• Reproductive system: sex organs (male and female)

Body Regions

• Head and neck
• Thorax (chest)
• Abdomen
• Back
• Upper limb (arm)
• Lower limb (leg)
• Pelvis

Body Cavities

• Cranial cavity: contains the brain
• Thoracic cavity: contains the heart and lungs
• Abdominal cavity: contains the digestive organs
• Pelvic cavity: contains the reproductive organs

Directional Terms

• Superior: above
• Inferior: below
• Anterior: front
• Posterior: back
• Medial: towards the midline
• Lateral: away from the midline
• Proximal: near the point of attachment
• Distal: far from the point of attachment

Human Anatomy Overview

• Human anatomy is the study of the structure and organization of living things

Branches of Anatomy

• Microscopic anatomy: studies cells and tissues
• Macroscopic anatomy: studies organs and organ systems

Organ Systems

• Nervous system: consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves
• Circulatory system: comprises the heart, blood vessels, and responsible for blood circulation
• Respiratory system: includes the lungs, trachea, bronchi, and responsible for gas exchange
• Digestive system: consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and responsible for nutrient absorption
• Endocrine system: comprises glands that produce hormones, such as the thyroid and pancreas
• Integumentary system: consists of the skin, hair, nails, and responsible for protection and sensation
• Muscular system: includes skeletal muscles and smooth muscles
• Skeletal system: comprises bones, joints, and responsible for support and movement
• Urinary system: consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra, and responsible for waste removal
• Reproductive system: consists of the sex organs (male and female) and responsible for reproduction

Body Regions

• Head and neck: region that includes the skull, face, and neck
• Thorax (chest): region that contains the heart and lungs
• Abdomen: region that contains the digestive organs
• Back: region that includes the spine and surrounding muscles
• Upper limb (arm): region that includes the shoulder, arm, and hand
• Lower limb (leg): region that includes the hip, leg, and foot
• Pelvis: region that includes the pelvic bone and surrounding muscles

Body Cavities

• Cranial cavity: contains the brain and is protected by the skull
• Thoracic cavity: contains the heart and lungs and is protected by the ribcage
• Abdominal cavity: contains the digestive organs and is protected by the abdominal wall
• Pelvic cavity: contains the reproductive organs and is protected by the pelvic bone

Directional Terms

• Superior: refers to a location above another structure
• Inferior: refers to a location below another structure
• Anterior: refers to a location in the front of the body
• Posterior: refers to a location in the back of the body
• Medial: refers to a location towards the midline of the body
• Lateral: refers to a location away from the midline of the body
• Proximal: refers to a location near the point of attachment of a limb or organ
• Distal: refers to a location far from the point of attachment of a limb or organ

Learn about the structure and organization of living things, including the study of microscopic and macroscopic anatomy, and major organ systems.