Introduction to Human Anatomy

Introduction to Human Anatomy

• Anatomy is the study of the structure of living things, including animals, humans, and plants, from microscopic cells and molecules to whole organisms.
• Anatomy comes from two Greek words: ana (up or apart) and tomos (to cut).
• It examines the shapes, sizes, and characteristics of body components.

Skeletal System Division

• Axial skeleton: Composed of bones in the head, neck, and chest.
• Appendicular skeleton: Made up of bones that attach to the axial skeleton.

Classification of Anatomy

• Macroscopic (Gross) Anatomy: Study of large body structures (e.g., heart, lungs, kidneys).
  • Regional anatomy: Focuses on structures within a specific body region.
  • Systemic anatomy: Studies body systems such as the cardiovascular system.
  • Surface anatomy: Examines the relationships between internal structures and external body surfaces.
• Microscopic Anatomy: Examines structures too small to see with the naked eye.
  • Cytology: Study of cells.
  • Histology: Study of tissues.

Developmental Anatomy

• Embryology: Studies the development of organisms before birth.

Systems of the Body

• Integumentary System: External covering of the body (skin). Protects underlying tissues, and contains receptors, sweat, and oil glands.
• Skeletal System: Composed of bones that provide support and protection for body organs.
• Muscular System: Composed of muscles that produce body movements.
• Nervous System: Includes the brain, sensory receptors, nerves, and spinal cord; controls homeostasis (internal balance) by stimulating muscle contractions and gland secretions.
• Endocrine System: Secretes hormones that regulate body functions.
• Cardiovascular System: Transports blood throughout the body.
• Lymphatic/Immune System: Protects the body by attacking foreign substances.
• Respiratory System: Supplies blood with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.
• Digestive System: Breaks down food into molecules that can be absorbed. The body removes indigestible food as feces.
• Urinary System: Regulates water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance in the body.
• Reproductive System: Responsible for the production of babies.

Regions of the Body

• Central region of the body consists of the head, neck, and trunk.
• Trunk is divided into thorax (chest), abdomen (between thorax and pelvis), and pelvis (lower end of the trunk).
• Also includes the upper limb (arm, forearm, wrist, and hand) and the lower limb (thigh, leg, ankle, and foot).
• The Back & Spine

Body Cavities

• Empty spaces within the body.
  • Cranial cavity, spinal cavity, thoracic cavity, abdominal cavity, pelvic cavity

Imaging Tests

• Different diagnostic imaging technologies used by doctors (e.g., X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, PET scans).

Methods of Study

• Regional approach: Studying a specific area of the body completely.
• Systemic approach: Studying a specific body system across the whole body.
• Surface anatomy: Studying the body's external form to understand its internal structures.
• Anatomical imaging: Radiological methods to produce internal structure images.

Directional Terms

• Used to describe the location of one body part relative to another. Examples: superior, inferior, anterior, and posterior.
• Other terms include: proximal, distal, medial, lateral, superficial, deep, right, left, midline, etc.

Anatomical Position

• Standard reference position for describing body parts.
• Body is standing upright, facing forward, feet slightly apart, and palms facing forward.

Body Planes and Sections

• Sagittal plane: Divides the body into right and left sections.
  • Midsagittal plane: Exact middle
  • Para-sagittal plane: Offset from the middle
• Frontal plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.
• Transverse plane: Divides the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts.

Terms of Motion

• Describing how anatomical structures move relative to one another. Examples: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, circumduction, etc.
• Includes terms like dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, pronation, supination, medial rotation, and lateral rotation, and their related opposing motions.

This quiz explores the fundamentals of human anatomy, including the skeletal system's division and the classification of anatomy. It covers both macroscopic and microscopic anatomy, providing insights into the structures of the human body and their functions.