Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy: Study of the structure of body parts and their relationships.
Physiology: Study of the function of the body parts and how they work together.

Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules.
Cellular Level: Basic structural and functional units of life.
Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells performing a specific function.
- Types of tissues:
  - Epithelial
  - Connective
  - Muscle
  - Nervous
Organ Level: Structures composed of two or more tissue types.
System Level: Groups of organs working together (e.g., digestive system).
Organismal Level: The human body as a whole.

Integumentary System: Skin, hair, nails; protects body, regulates temperature.
Skeletal System: Bones and joints; supports body, facilitates movement, stores minerals.
Muscular System: Skeletal muscles; allows for movement, maintains posture, produces heat.
Nervous System: Brain, spinal cord, nerves; controls responses to internal and external stimuli.
Endocrine System: Glands (e.g., thyroid, adrenal); regulates processes through hormones.
Cardiovascular System: Heart and blood vessels; distributes blood, nutrients, gases, and waste.
Lymphatic System: Lymph nodes, lymph vessels; supports immune function, returns fluid to blood.
Respiratory System: Lungs, airways; facilitates gas exchange (O2 and CO2).
Digestive System: Organs involved in processing food; breaks down food, absorbs nutrients.
Urinary System: Kidneys, bladder; removes waste, regulates fluid and electrolyte balance.
Reproductive System: Organs involved in reproduction; produces gametes and hormones.

Homeostasis: Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Feedback Mechanisms:
- Negative Feedback: Counteracts changes; maintains homeostasis (e.g., temperature regulation).
- Positive Feedback: Amplifies changes; drives processes to completion (e.g., childbirth).
Metabolism: All chemical reactions in the body; includes catabolism (breakdown) and anabolism (building up).

Directional Terms:
- Superior (above), Inferior (below)
- Anterior (front), Posterior (back)
- Medial (toward the midline), Lateral (away from midline)
- Proximal (closer to trunk), Distal (farther from trunk)
Planes of the Body:
- Sagittal (divides into left/right)
- Frontal (divides into anterior/posterior)
- Transverse (divides into superior/inferior)

Provides foundational knowledge for health professionals.
Essential for understanding body functions, diagnosing conditions, and developing treatments.

Chemical Level: Comprises atoms and molecules essential for life.
Cellular Level: Cells are the fundamental units of life, performing various functions.
Tissue Level: Four types of tissues:
- Epithelial: Covers and protects surfaces.
- Connective: Supports and binds other tissues.
- Muscle: Facilitates movement.
- Nervous: Transmits signals and processes information.
Organ Level: Organs consist of two or more tissue types working together for specific functions.
System Level: Organ systems, like the digestive system, comprise groups of organs that collaborate.
Organismal Level: Represents the complete human body functioning as a unit.

Integumentary System: Includes skin, hair, and nails; functions in protection and temperature regulation.
Skeletal System: Composed of bones and joints; provides support, movement, and mineral storage.
Muscular System: Made up of skeletal muscles; responsible for movement, posture maintenance, and heat production.
Nervous System: Encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; manages responses to stimuli.
Endocrine System: Comprises glands like the thyroid; regulates bodily functions via hormones.
Cardiovascular System: Consists of the heart and blood vessels; transports blood, nutrients, and gases throughout the body.
Lymphatic System: Includes lymph nodes and vessels; supports immune function and fluid return to the bloodstream.
Respiratory System: Composed of lungs and airways; enables gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Digestive System: Involves organs that process food; responsible for food breakdown and nutrient absorption.
Urinary System: Includes kidneys and bladder; eliminates waste and regulates fluid balance.
Reproductive System: Comprises organs for reproduction; produces gametes and hormones.

Homeostasis: Process of maintaining stable internal conditions, regardless of external changes.
Feedback Mechanisms:
- Negative Feedback: Restores stability by counteracting changes (e.g., temperature regulation).
- Positive Feedback: Enhances processes to completion (e.g., childbirth).
Metabolism: Encompasses all chemical reactions in the body; consists of:
- Catabolism: Breakdown of substances for energy.
- Anabolism: Building up of substances for growth and repair.

Directional Terms:
- Superior: Above; Inferior: Below.
- Anterior: Front; Posterior: Back.
- Medial: Towards the midline; Lateral: Away from midline.
- Proximal: Closer to the trunk; Distal: Farther from the trunk.
Planes of the Body:
- Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right sections.
- Frontal Plane: Divides body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
- Transverse Plane: Divides body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Provides essential knowledge for health professionals.
Critical for understanding bodily functions, diagnosing medical conditions, and creating effective treatments.