Introduction to Anatomy

• Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body.
• Physiological anatomy involves studying the body's structures in relation to their functions.
• Human anatomy specifically looks at the structure of the human body.

Anatomical Terminology

• Provides a standardized language for describing the location and orientation of body parts.

• Anatomical position is the standard reference point.

  • The body is standing upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides and palms facing forward.

• Anatomical planes are used to divide the body into sections for viewing internal structures.

  • Sagittal plane divides the body into left and right sections.
  • Midsagittal plane divides the body into equal left and right halves.
  • Frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into front and back sections.
  • Transverse (horizontal) plane divides the body into upper and lower sections.

• Directional terms describe the position of structures relative to each other.

  • Superior (cranial): toward the head or above.
  • Inferior (caudal): toward the feet or below.
  • Anterior (ventral): toward the front of the body.
  • Posterior (dorsal): toward the back of the body.
  • Medial: toward the midline of the body.
  • Lateral: away from the midline of the body.
  • Proximal: closer to the point of attachment or origin.
  • Distal: farther from the point of attachment or origin.
  • Superficial: closer to the surface of the body.
  • Deep: farther from the surface of the body.

• Regional terms refer to specific areas of the body.

  • Cephalic: head.
  • Cervical: neck.
  • Thoracic: chest.
  • Abdominal: abdomen.
  • Pelvic: pelvis.
  • Upper limb: arm.
  • Lower limb: leg.

Anatomical Systems

• Integumentary System.
  • Provides protection, regulates temperature, and detects sensations.
  • Includes skin, hair, and nails.
• Skeletal System.
  • Supports the body, protects organs, and enables movement.
  • Includes bones, cartilage, and joints.
• Muscular System.
  • Enables movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.
  • Includes skeletal muscles, smooth muscles, and cardiac muscle.
• Nervous System.
  • Controls and coordinates bodily functions, responds to stimuli, and enables consciousness, memory, and reasoning.
  • Includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
• Endocrine System.
  • Regulates bodily functions by releasing hormones.
  • Includes glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, and pancreas.
• Cardiovascular System.
  • Transports oxygen, nutrients, and hormones throughout the body, and removes waste products.
  • Includes the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
• Lymphatic System.
  • Returns fluids to the bloodstream, protects against pathogens, and absorbs lipids.
  • Includes lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and lymphoid organs.
• Respiratory System.
  • Exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between the body and the environment.
  • Includes the lungs, trachea, and bronchi.
• Digestive System.
  • Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
  • Includes the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas.
• Urinary System.
  • Filters blood and eliminates waste products in the form of urine.
  • Includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
• Reproductive System.
  • Enables reproduction.
  • Includes the male reproductive organs (testes, sperm ducts, penis) and female reproductive organs (ovaries, uterus, vagina).