Overview of Anatomy

Definition: Study of the structure of organisms, including their systems, organs, and tissues.
Branches:
- Gross Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye.
- Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures at the cellular and tissue level (includes histology and cytology).
- Developmental Anatomy: Study of the structural changes from conception to adulthood.

Skeletal System
- Comprises bones, cartilage, and joints.
- Functions: Support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production.
Muscular System
- Consists of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Functions: Movement, posture maintenance, heat production.
Nervous System
- Includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Functions: Control and communication within the body.
Endocrine System
- Comprised of glands such as the pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands.
- Functions: Hormonal regulation of bodily functions.
Cardiovascular System
- Composed of the heart and blood vessels.
- Functions: Transportation of nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products.
Respiratory System
- Includes the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm.
- Functions: Gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Digestive System
- Comprises the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs.
- Functions: Breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, waste elimination.
Urinary System
- Consists of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- Functions: Excretion of waste, regulation of blood volume and pressure.
Reproductive System
- Male: Includes testes, prostate, and penis.
- Female: Includes ovaries, uterus, and vagina.
- Functions: Production of gametes and hormones, reproduction.

Directional Terms:
- Superior: Toward the head.
- Inferior: Toward the feet.
- Anterior (ventral): Toward the front.
- Posterior (dorsal): Toward the back.
- Medial: Toward the midline.
- Lateral: Away from the midline.
Planes of the Body:
- Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right.
- Coronal (frontal) Plane: Divides body into anterior and posterior.
- Transverse Plane: Divides body into superior and inferior.

Types of Tissues:
1. Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces, lines cavities; functions in protection, absorption, and secretion.
2. Connective Tissue: Provides support, binds other tissues; includes bone, adipose, blood.
3. Muscle Tissue: Responsible for movement; types include skeletal, cardiac, and smooth.
4. Nervous Tissue: Composed of neurons and glial cells; responsible for transmitting impulses.

Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions.
Anatomical Variability: Normal variations in anatomy among individuals; important for clinical practice.
Clinical Anatomy: Application of anatomical knowledge to understand and treat diseases and injuries.

Andreas Vesalius: Considered the father of modern anatomy; published "De humani corporis fabrica".
Gray's Anatomy: A comprehensive reference work on human anatomy, widely used in medical education.

Anatomy is foundational for understanding biology, medicine, and health sciences.
Knowledge of anatomical structures and their functions is crucial for clinical practice and research.

Anatomy is the scientific study of the structure of organisms, including various systems, organs, and tissues.
Gross Anatomy examines structures that can be seen without a microscope.
Microscopic Anatomy involves studying cells and tissues and includes histology (study of tissues) and cytology (study of cells).
Developmental Anatomy looks at the changes in structure from conception to adulthood.

Skeletal System: Composed of bones, cartilage, and joints; provides support, protection, facilitates movement, stores minerals, and produces blood cells.
Muscular System: Includes skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles; supports movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.
Nervous System: Consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; responsible for body control and communication.
Endocrine System: Made up of glands like the pituitary and thyroid; regulates body functions through hormones.
Cardiovascular System: Composed of the heart and blood vessels; transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste.
Respiratory System: Includes structures like the lungs and trachea; facilitates gas exchange, primarily oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Digestive System: Consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, and accessory organs; involved in food breakdown, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination.
Urinary System: Composed of kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; excretes waste and regulates blood volume and pressure.
Reproductive System:
- Male: Comprises testes, prostate, and penis; responsible for gamete and hormone production.
- Female: Includes ovaries, uterus, and vagina; also involved in gamete production and reproductive functions.

Directional Terms:
- Superior: Toward the head
- Inferior: Toward the feet
- Anterior (ventral): Front
- Posterior (dorsal): Back
- Medial: Toward the midline
- Lateral: Away from the midline
Planes of the Body:
- Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right sections
- Coronal (frontal) Plane: Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections
- Transverse Plane: Divides the body into superior and inferior sections

Epithelial Tissue: Covers surfaces and lines cavities; functions include protection, absorption, and secretion.
Connective Tissue: Provides support and binds other tissue types; examples include bone, adipose, and blood.
Muscle Tissue: Enables movement; includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle types.
Nervous Tissue: Composed of neurons and glial cells; essential for impulse transmission.

Homeostasis: The body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
Anatomical Variability: Normal differences in anatomy among individuals; significant for clinical practice.
Clinical Anatomy: The application of anatomical knowledge to diagnose and treat diseases and injuries.

Andreas Vesalius: Recognized as the father of modern anatomy; authored "De humani corporis fabrica".
Gray's Anatomy: A widely used comprehensive reference on human anatomy, integral to medical education.

Anatomy serves as a core foundation for understanding fields such as biology, medicine, and health sciences.
A thorough grasp of anatomical structures and functions is vital for effective clinical practice and research.