Overview of Anatomy and Body Systems

Overview of Anatomy

Definition: Study of the structure of organisms and their parts.
Branches:
- Gross Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye.
- Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures at the cellular level (histology and cytology).
- Developmental Anatomy: Study of the changes in structure from conception to adulthood (embryology).

Major Body Systems

Skeletal System
- Composed of bones, cartilage, and ligaments.
- Functions: support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production.
Muscular System
- Comprises skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Functions: movement, posture maintenance, heat production.
Nervous System
- Consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Functions: control of body activities, communication, sensory processing.
Circulatory System
- Includes heart, blood vessels, and blood.
- Functions: transportation of nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products.
Respiratory System
- Involves lungs, trachea, and airways.
- Functions: gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Digestive System
- Comprises mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs.
- Functions: breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, waste elimination.
Endocrine System
- Consists of glands (e.g., thyroid, adrenal).
- Functions: hormone production and regulation of bodily activities.
Urinary System
- Includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- Functions: waste removal, regulation of blood volume and pressure.
Reproductive System
- Male: testes, penis, seminal vesicles.
- Female: ovaries, uterus, vagina.
- Functions: reproduction and hormone production.
Integumentary System
- Comprises skin, hair, nails, and glands.
- Functions: protection, temperature regulation, sensory reception.

Anatomical Terminology

Anatomical Position: Standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms facing forward.
Directional Terms:
- Superior: above
- Inferior: below
- Anterior (ventral): front
- Posterior (dorsal): back
- Medial: towards the midline
- Lateral: away from the midline
- Proximal: closer to the trunk
- Distal: further from the trunk

Body Cavities

Dorsal Cavity: Houses the brain (cranial cavity) and spinal cord (vertebral cavity).
Ventral Cavity: Divided into thoracic (heart and lungs) and abdominopelvic cavities (digestive organs, reproductive organs).
Other Cavities: Oral, nasal, orbital, and middle ear cavities.

Tissues

Epithelial Tissue
- Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands.
- Functions: protection, absorption, secretion.
Connective Tissue
- Supports, binds, and protects other tissues.
- Types: loose, dense, adipose, bone, blood.
Muscle Tissue
- Responsible for movement.
- Types: skeletal (voluntary), smooth (involuntary), cardiac (heart).
Nervous Tissue
- Composed of neurons and glial cells.
- Functions: transmission of electrical impulses, support and protect neurons.

Key Concepts

Homeostasis: Maintenance of stable internal conditions.
Anatomical Variability: Individual differences in anatomy.
Functional Anatomy: Relationship between structure and function.

Overview of Anatomy

Anatomy is the study of the structure of organisms and their components.
Major branches include:
- Gross Anatomy focuses on macroscopic structures visible without a microscope.
- Microscopic Anatomy examines cellular structures, including histology and cytology.
- Developmental Anatomy investigates structural changes from conception to adulthood, primarily through embryology.

Major Body Systems

Skeletal System: Composed of bones, cartilage, and ligaments; functions include support, protection, movement, mineral storage, and blood cell production.
Muscular System: Made up of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles; facilitates movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.
Nervous System: Encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; essential for controlling body activities, communication, and sensory processing.
Circulatory System: Consists of the heart, blood vessels, and blood; responsible for transporting nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products.
Respiratory System: Includes the lungs, trachea, and airways; primary function is gas exchange, allowing oxygen in and carbon dioxide out.
Digestive System: Involves mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs; essential for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients, and eliminating waste.
Endocrine System: Composed of glands such as the thyroid and adrenal glands; regulates bodily activities through hormone production and secretion.
Urinary System: Contains kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; functions to remove waste and regulate blood volume and pressure.
Reproductive System:
- Male components include testes, penis, and seminal vesicles; responsibilities include reproduction and hormone production.
- Female components encompass ovaries, uterus, and vagina; similarly crucial for reproduction and hormone synthesis.
Integumentary System: Comprises skin, hair, nails, and glands; protects the body, regulates temperature, and facilitates sensory reception.

Anatomical Terminology

Anatomical Position: Defined as standing upright, facing forward with arms at the sides and palms forward.
Directional Terms include:
- Superior: above
- Inferior: below
- Anterior (ventral): front
- Posterior (dorsal): back
- Medial: towards the midline
- Lateral: away from the midline
- Proximal: closer to the trunk
- Distal: further from the trunk

Body Cavities

Dorsal Cavity: Contains the cranial cavity (housing the brain) and the vertebral cavity (housing the spinal cord).
Ventral Cavity: Divided into thoracic cavity (heart and lungs) and abdominopelvic cavity (digestive and reproductive organs).
Other significant cavities include oral, nasal, orbital, and middle ear cavities.

Tissues

Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands; functions include protection, absorption, and secretion.
Connective Tissue: Supports and binds other tissues; types range from loose and dense to adipose, bone, and blood.
Muscle Tissue: Facilitate movement; includes three types: skeletal (voluntary), smooth (involuntary), and cardiac (in heart).
Nervous Tissue: Composed of neurons and glial cells; crucial for transmitting electrical impulses and supporting neurons.

Key Concepts

Homeostasis: The ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Anatomical Variability: Refers to individual differences in anatomical structures.
Functional Anatomy: Examines the relationship between anatomical structures and their functions.