Overview of Anatomy

Anatomy is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts.
It can be subdivided into various fields, including:
- 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 development of an organism from fertilization to adulthood.

Skeletal System
- Composed of bones, cartilage, and ligaments.
- Functions: Support, protection, movement, storage of minerals, and blood cell production.
Muscular System
- Consists of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Functions: Movement, posture, and heat production.
Nervous System
- Divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).
- Functions: Control and coordination of body activities, sensory perception, and response to stimuli.
Circulatory System
- Comprises the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
- Functions: Transport of oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
Respiratory System
- Includes the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm.
- Functions: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Digestive System
- Composed of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs (liver, pancreas).
- Functions: Breakdown of food, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of waste.
Endocrine System
- Consists of glands that secrete hormones (e.g., thyroid, adrenal).
- Functions: Regulation of metabolism, growth, and homeostasis.
Urinary System
- Includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- Functions: Excretion of waste products, regulation of blood volume and pressure.
Reproductive System
- Male and female systems involved in reproduction.
- Functions: Production of gametes, hormone secretion, and offspring development.

Anatomical Position: Standard reference position for the body (standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward).
Directional Terms:
- Superior: Towards the head.
- Inferior: Towards the feet.
- Anterior (ventral): Front side.
- Posterior (dorsal): Back side.
- Medial: Towards the midline.
- Lateral: Away from the midline.
- Proximal: Closer to the point of attachment.
- Distal: Further from the point of attachment.

Dorsal Cavity: Contains the brain (cranial cavity) and spinal cord (spinal cavity).
Ventral Cavity: Divided into the thoracic cavity (heart and lungs) and abdominopelvic cavity (digestive organs, reproductive organs).

Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces and lines cavities.
Connective Tissue: Supports, binds, and protects other tissues (includes bone, blood, adipose).
Muscle Tissue: Responsible for movement (skeletal, cardiac, smooth).
Nervous Tissue: Composed of neurons and glial cells; responsible for transmitting impulses.

Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions.
Anatomical Variability: Variations in anatomy among individuals; important in clinical practice.
Functional Anatomy: Study of the relationship between anatomical structures and their functions.

Anatomy studies the structure of organisms and their parts, divided into several fields.
Gross Anatomy focuses on structures visible to the naked eye.
Microscopic Anatomy examines cellular and tissue structures, including histology.
Developmental Anatomy covers growth from fertilization to adulthood.

Skeletal System
- Made up of bones, cartilage, and ligaments.
- Functions include support, protection, movement, mineral storage, and blood cell production.
Muscular System
- Comprises skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Responsible for movement, posture maintenance, and heat production.
Nervous System
- Divided into central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS).
- Controls and coordinates body activities, sensory perception, and responses to stimuli.
Circulatory System
- Consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels.
- Transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products.
Respiratory System
- Includes lungs, trachea, and diaphragm.
- Facilitates gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Digestive System
- Comprises the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs like the liver and pancreas.
- Responsible for food breakdown, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination.
Endocrine System
- Consists of hormone-secreting glands, such as the thyroid and adrenal glands.
- Regulates metabolism, growth, and homeostasis.
Urinary System
- Includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- Functions in waste excretion and regulation of blood volume and pressure.
Reproductive System
- Incorporates male and female systems for reproduction.
- Responsible for gamete production, hormone secretion, and offspring development.

Anatomical Position is the standard position for the body: standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.
Directional Terms:
- Superior: towards the head.
- Inferior: towards the feet.
- Anterior (ventral): front side.
- Posterior (dorsal): back side.
- Medial: towards the midline.
- Lateral: away from the midline.
- Proximal: closer to the point of attachment.
- Distal: further from the point of attachment.

Dorsal Cavity: contains the brain (cranial cavity) and spinal cord (spinal cavity).
Ventral Cavity: split into thoracic (heart and lungs) and abdominopelvic (digestive and reproductive organs) cavities.

Epithelial Tissue: Covers surfaces and lines cavities.
Connective Tissue: Supports and binds other tissues, including bone, blood, and adipose.
Muscle Tissue: Enables movement through skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscles.
Nervous Tissue: Comprised of neurons and glial cells, responsible for transmitting impulses.

Homeostasis: Ability to maintain stable internal conditions.
Anatomical Variability: Individual differences in anatomy, significant for clinical applications.
Functional Anatomy: Examines the relationship between anatomical structures and their functions.