Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Study Notes

Anatomy

The study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts, and their relationships to one another.
It's the scientific study of body structures.

Gross Anatomy

Examines large, easily observable body structures.
Examples include regional anatomy (interrelationships of structures within a specific body region) and systemic anatomy (structures within discrete body systems).
Structures can be seen, manipulated, measured, and weighed.

Microscopic Anatomy

Deals with body structures too small to be seen with the naked eye.
Two sub-categories:
- Histology: Study of tissues.
- Cytology: Study of cells.

Physiology

The study of how the body and its parts function.
Investigates the chemistry and physics associated with structure.
Examples include neurophysiology (function of the central nervous system), cardiovascular physiology (function of the heart, blood vessels, and blood), and renal physiology (function of the kidneys).
It's the scientific study of the body's chemical and physical functions, and how these work together to support life.

Levels of Organization in the Body

Chemical Level: Basic building blocks of matter, including atoms and molecules, are crucial for communicating instructions from DNA.
Cellular Level: The smallest independently functioning unit of life, formed from various molecules.
Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function, creating tissues.
Organ Level: Composed of different tissues that work together to perform a more complex function.
Organ System Level: Groups of organs that work together to carry out major bodily functions.
Organism Level: A complete, living being made up of all the organ systems working together.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference point for describing body structures.
Body upright, feet parallel and shoulder-width apart, toes pointed forward.
Upper limbs held out to the sides with palms facing forward.
Two terms for body orientation:
- Prone: Face-down position.
- Supine: Face-up position.

Directional Terms

Anterior (Ventral): Front of the body.
Posterior (Dorsal): Back of the body.
Superior (Cranial): Above or higher than another body part.
Inferior (Caudal): Below or lower than another body part.
Lateral: Away from the midline of the body.
Medial: Toward the midline of the body.
Superficial: Closer to the surface of the body.
Deep: Farther from the surface of the body.
Proximal: On a limb, nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk.
Distal: On a limb, farther from the point of attachment or the trunk.

Sections and Planes

Anatomists use slices through body structures to visualize internal anatomy.
Section: A slice of a three-dimensional structure.
Plane: An imaginary slice through the body used in imaging.

Planes of the Body

Sagittal Plane (Median Plane): Divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides.
- Midsagittal (Median): Divides directly down the middle of the body.
- Parasagittal (Longitudinal): Divides into unequal right and left sides.
Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane): Divides the body or organ into an anterior (front) portion and a posterior (back) portion.
Transverse Plane: Divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions (also called cross-sections).

Organization and Compartmentalization

Cranial Cavity: Contains the brain.
Spinal Cavity (Vertebral Cavity): Encloses the spinal cord.
Thoracic Cavity:
- Superior Mediastinum: Houses the thymus, esophagus, and trachea.
- Pleural Cavity: Contains the lungs.
- Pericardial Cavity: Within the mediastinum, houses the heart.
Abdominopelvic Cavity:
- Abdominal Cavity: Contains the stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys.
- Pelvic Cavity: Located within the abdominopelvic cavity, it houses the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.

Description

Explore the fundamentals of anatomy and physiology, focusing on the structure and function of the human body. Understand the differences between gross and microscopic anatomy, as well as the various physiological systems. This quiz will test your knowledge on key concepts and terms within the field.