Overview of Anatomy

Anatomy is the branch of biology that studies the structure of organisms.
Focuses on the organization of the body at various levels: cellular, tissue, organ, and system.

Cells
- Basic unit of life.
- Different types: muscle, nerve, epithelial, connective.
Tissues
- Groups of similar cells performing a specific function.
- Four main types:
  - Epithelial: Covers body surfaces and lines cavities.
  - Connective: Supports and binds other tissues (e.g., bone, blood).
  - Muscle: Facilitates movement (e.g., skeletal, cardiac, smooth).
  - Nervous: Transmits impulses for communication (neurons and glial cells).
Organs
- Structures composed of two or more tissue types performing a specific function (e.g., heart, lungs, liver).
Organ Systems
- Groups of organs that work together to perform complex functions (e.g., digestive system, nervous system).

Skeletal System
- Supports and protects body organs, facilitates movement, produces blood cells.
Muscular System
- Enables movement through muscle contraction, maintains posture, and produces heat.
Cardiovascular System
- Transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
Respiratory System
- Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out), maintains acid-base balance.
Digestive System
- Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
Nervous System
- Controls body responses through electrical signals; includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Endocrine System
- Regulates bodily functions through hormones produced by glands (e.g., thyroid, adrenal).
Immune System
- Defends against pathogens and disease; includes lymphatic system, spleen, and white blood cells.
Integumentary System
- Protects the body, regulates temperature, and provides sensory information (skin, hair, nails).
Urinary System
- Removes waste products from the blood, regulates blood pressure and electrolyte balance (kidneys, bladder).
Reproductive System
- Produces sex cells and hormones necessary for reproduction (male and female reproductive organs).

Anterior/Posterior: Front/back of the body.
Superior/Inferior: Above/below.
Medial/Lateral: Closer to the midline/further from the midline.
Proximal/Distal: Closer to the point of attachment/farther from the point of attachment.
Superficial/Deep: Closer to the surface/further from the surface.

Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right parts.
Coronal Plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
Transverse Plane: Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.

Understanding anatomy is crucial for fields such as medicine, physiology, and biology.
It provides the foundational knowledge necessary for studying how the body's systems interact and function.

The study of the structure of organisms.
Focuses on organization at multiple levels: cells, tissues, organs, and systems.

Cells: Basic unit of life.
- Different types: muscle, nerve, epithelial, connective.
Tissues: Groups of similar cells performing a specific function.
- Four main types:
  - Epithelial: Covers body surfaces and lines cavities.
  - Connective: Supports and binds other tissues (e.g., bone, blood).
  - Muscle: Facilitates movement (e.g., skeletal, cardiac, smooth).
  - Nervous: Transmits impulses for communication (neurons and glial cells).
Organs: Structures composed of two or more tissue types performing a specific function (e.g., heart, lungs, liver).
Organ Systems: Groups of organs that work together to perform complex functions (e.g., digestive system, nervous system).

Skeletal System: Supports and protects body organs, facilitates movement, produces blood cells.
Muscular System: Enables movement through muscle contraction, maintains posture, and produces heat.
Cardiovascular System: Transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products throughout the body.
Respiratory System: Facilitates gas exchange (oxygen in, carbon dioxide out), maintains acid-base balance.
Digestive System: Breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste.
Nervous System: Controls body responses through electrical signals, includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
Endocrine System: Regulates bodily functions through hormones produced by glands (e.g., thyroid, adrenal).
Immune System: Defends against pathogens and disease, includes lymphatic system, spleen, and white blood cells.
Integumentary System: Protects the body, regulates temperature, and provides sensory information (skin, hair, nails).
Urinary System: Removes waste products from the blood, regulates blood pressure and electrolyte balance (kidneys, bladder).
Reproductive System: Produces sex cells and hormones necessary for reproduction (male and female reproductive organs).

Anterior/Posterior: Front/back of the body.
Superior/Inferior: Above/below.
Medial/Lateral: Closer to the midline/further from the midline.
Proximal/Distal: Closer to the point of attachment/farther from the point of attachment.
Superficial/Deep: Closer to the surface/further from the surface.

Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right parts.
Coronal Plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections.
Transverse Plane: Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) sections.

Anatomy is crucial for understanding how the body’s systems interact and function.
It’s fundamental knowledge for fields like medicine, physiology, and biology.