Overview of Anatomy and Body Systems

Definition: Anatomy is the 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 and tissue level (includes histology).
- Developmental Anatomy: Study of the structural changes from conception to adulthood (embryology).

Skeletal System
- Composed of bones, cartilage, and ligaments.
- Functions: support, movement, protection of internal organs, mineral storage, blood cell production.
Muscular System
- Composed of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Functions: movement, posture, heat production.
Nervous System
- Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Functions: control of body activities, response to stimuli, integration of information.
Endocrine System
- Composed of glands that secrete hormones (e.g., thyroid, adrenal).
- Functions: regulation of metabolism, growth, and sexual development.
Cardiovascular System
- Composed of the heart and blood vessels.
- Functions: transportation of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products.
Respiratory System
- Composed of the lungs and air passages.
- Functions: gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Digestive System
- Composed of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs (e.g., liver, pancreas).
- Functions: breakdown and absorption of nutrients.
Urinary System
- Composed of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- Functions: removal of waste products, regulation of water and electrolyte balance.
Reproductive System
- Male: testes, vas deferens, prostate.
- Female: ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus.
- Functions: production of gametes, hormone production, continuation of species.

Directional Terms:
- Superior: above
- Inferior: below
- Anterior (ventral): front
- Posterior (dorsal): back
- Medial: toward the midline
- Lateral: away from the midline
- Proximal: closer to the trunk
- Distal: farther from the trunk
Body Planes:
- Sagittal Plane: divides the body into left and right parts.
- Coronal Plane: divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.
- Transverse Plane: divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

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

Fundamental to understanding physiology, medicine, health sciences, and surgical practices.
Provides a basis for diagnosis and treatment of diseases.
Essential for fields such as biology, anthropology, and forensic science.

Anatomy studies the structure of organisms and their components.
Gross Anatomy: Involves the study of structures visible without a microscope.
Microscopic Anatomy: Focuses on cellular and tissue structures, including histology.
Developmental Anatomy: Examines structural changes from conception through adulthood, often referred to as embryology.

Skeletal System: Consists of bones, cartilage, and ligaments; provides support, movement, protects internal organs, stores minerals, and produces blood cells.
Muscular System: Made up of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles; facilitates movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.
Nervous System: Includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; controls body activities, responds to stimuli, and integrates information.
Endocrine System: Composed of glands that release hormones (like the thyroid and adrenal glands); regulates metabolism, growth, and sexual development.
Cardiovascular System: Encompasses the heart and blood vessels; responsible for transporting nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
Respiratory System: Consists of lungs and air passages; conducts gas exchange, primarily of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Digestive System: Composed of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs (e.g., liver, pancreas); involved in breaking down food and nutrient absorption.
Urinary System: Includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; manages waste elimination and maintains water and electrolyte balance.
Reproductive System:
- Male structures include testes, vas deferens, and prostate.
- Female structures include ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
- Responsible for gamete production, hormone secretion, and the continuation of species.

Directional Terms include:
- Superior: above
- Inferior: below
- Anterior (ventral): front
- Posterior (dorsal): back
- Medial: toward the midline
- Lateral: away from the midline
- Proximal: closer to the trunk
- Distal: farther from the trunk
Body Planes are:
- Sagittal Plane: divides the body into left and right segments.
- Coronal Plane: separates the body into anterior and posterior sections.
- Transverse Plane: divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands; serves functions of protection, absorption, and secretion.
Connective Tissue: Provides support, binds, and protects tissues and organs; types include loose connective, dense connective, adipose, blood, bone, and cartilage.
Muscle Tissue: Facilitates movement; includes three types: skeletal (voluntary), smooth (involuntary), and cardiac (heart).
Nervous Tissue: Composed of neurons and glial cells; essential for communication and processing information.

Vital for understanding physiology, medicine, health sciences, and surgical practices.
Provides foundational knowledge necessary for diagnosing and treating diseases.
Crucial for studies in biology, anthropology, and forensic science.