Overview of Anatomy

Anatomy is the branch of biology focused on the structure of organisms.
It can be divided into several subfields, including:
- Gross Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye.
- Microscopic Anatomy: Study of tissues and cells requiring a microscope, including histology and cytology.
- Developmental Anatomy: Study of organisms from fertilization to adulthood, including embryology.

Skeletal System
- Comprises bones, cartilage, and joints.
- Functions: Provides structure, protection, and enables movement.
Muscular System
- Includes skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Functions: Facilitates movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.
Nervous System
- Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Functions: Controls body activities by transmitting signals; responsible for reflexes and sensory processing.
Circulatory System
- Consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.
- Functions: Transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
Respiratory System
- Involves the lungs, trachea, and airways.
- Functions: Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Digestive System
- Comprises the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs (liver, pancreas).
- Functions: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste.
Endocrine System
- Includes glands that release hormones (e.g., thyroid, adrenal).
- Functions: Regulates growth, metabolism, and homeostasis.
Urinary System
- Consists of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- Functions: Removes waste from the blood and regulates fluid balance.
Reproductive System
- Male: Includes testes, prostate, and penis.
- Female: Includes ovaries, uterus, and vagina.
- Functions: Produces gametes and hormones; enables reproduction.

Standard reference position:
- Human stands upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms forward, feet together.

Understanding anatomy is essential for fields such as medicine, biology, and health sciences.
Anatomical studies help in surgical procedures, diagnosing diseases, and understanding body functions.
Often studied in conjunction with physiology, which focuses on body functions.

Anatomy is the study of the structure of organisms.
It can be divided into several subfields, including gross anatomy, microscopic anatomy, and developmental anatomy.

Studies tissues and cells requiring a microscope.
Microscopic anatomy includes histology (study of tissues) and cytology (study of cells).

Studies organisms from fertilization to adulthood.
Developmental anatomy includes embryology, which studies the development of embryos.

Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Controls bodily activities by transmitting signals between different parts of the body.
Responsible for reflexes and sensory processing.

Consists of the lungs, trachea, and airways.
Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between the body and the environment.

Consists of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs like the liver and pancreas.
Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste.

Consists of glands which release hormones, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands.
Regulates growth, metabolism, and homeostasis (maintaining a stable internal environment).

Superior/Inferior: refers to a structure being above or below another.
Anterior/Posterior: refers to a structure being towards the front or back.
Medial/Lateral: refers to a structure being towards the midline or towards the side.
Proximal/Distal: refers to a structure being closer to or further from the point of attachment or origin.
Superficial/Deep: refers to a structure being closer to the surface of the body or further away from the surface.

The anatomical position is a standard reference position for describing the body.
In anatomical position, the body is standing upright, facing forward with arms at the sides, palms forward, and feet together.

Sagittal Plane divides the body into left and right sections.
Coronal Plane (also called the frontal plane) divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.
Transverse Plane divides the body into superior and inferior sections.

Understanding anatomy is essential for fields such as medicine, biology, and health sciences.
Anatomical studies help with surgical procedures, diagnosing diseases, and understanding body functions.
Anatomy is often studied alongside physiology, which focuses on body functions.