Overview of Anatomy

Definition: Anatomy is the branch of biology that studies the structure of organisms and their parts.

Gross Anatomy:
- Study of structures visible to the naked eye.
- Techniques include dissection and imaging (e.g., X-rays, MRI).
Microscopic Anatomy:
- Examination of structures at the cellular level.
- Includes histology (study of tissues) and cytology (study of cells).
Developmental Anatomy:
- Focuses on the development of an organism from conception to adulthood.
- Includes embryology (study of embryos).
Comparative Anatomy:
- Compares anatomical structures across different species.
- Helps understand evolutionary relationships.
Functional Anatomy:
- Examines the relationship between structure and function of body parts.

Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules form the basis of biological structures.
Cellular Level: Cells are the basic units of life.
Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells that perform a specific function (e.g., epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).
Organ Level: Structures composed of two or more tissue types (e.g., heart, lungs).
System Level: Groups of organs that work together (e.g., digestive system).
Organism Level: The complete living entity.

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

Skeletal System:
- Composed of bones and joints; provides structure and support.
Muscular System:
- Responsible for movement; includes skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
Nervous System:
- Composed of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; controls body functions through electrical signals.
Circulatory System:
- Includes heart and blood vessels; responsible for transporting nutrients and oxygen.
Respiratory System:
- Facilitates gas exchange; includes lungs and airways.
Digestive System:
- Breaks down food for nutrient absorption; includes stomach, intestines, etc.
Endocrine System:
- Glands that secrete hormones to regulate bodily functions.
Reproductive System:
- Responsible for producing offspring; includes reproductive organs.
Integumentary System:
- Composed of skin, hair, and nails; protects the body and regulates temperature.
Lymphatic/Immune System:
- Helps defend against infections and disease; includes lymph nodes and vessels.

Models: Physical or digital representations of anatomical structures for educational purposes.
Imaging Techniques:
- X-ray, CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound used to visualize internal structures non-invasively.

Gross Anatomy: Investigates structures visible without magnification, utilizing dissection and imaging techniques like X-rays and MRI.
Microscopic Anatomy: Focuses on cellular structures, encompassing histology (tissue study) and cytology (cell study).
Developmental Anatomy: Examines organism development from conception to maturity, with a special focus on embryology.
Comparative Anatomy: Analyzes anatomical similarities and differences across species to uncover evolutionary connections.
Functional Anatomy: Explores how the structure of body parts relates to their function.

Chemical Level: Composed of atoms and molecules, forming the building blocks of life.
Cellular Level: Cells serve as the fundamental units of life.
Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells, categorized into four types: epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous.
Organ Level: Structures made of multiple tissue types, such as the heart or lungs.
System Level: Comprises organs working in concert, like the digestive system.
Organism Level: Represents a complete living entity.

Directional Terms: Include notions like superior (above), inferior (below), anterior (front), posterior (back), medial (toward midline), lateral (away from midline), proximal (closer to trunk), and distal (farther from trunk).
Body Planes: Include sagittal (divides body left and right), frontal (divides anterior and posterior), and transverse (divides superior and inferior).

Skeletal System: Composed of bones and joints, providing structure and support.
Muscular System: Enables movement, including skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
Nervous System: Encompasses brain, spinal cord, and nerves for body control through electrical signals.
Circulatory System: Involves the heart and blood vessels, facilitating nutrient and oxygen transport.
Respiratory System: Manages gas exchange, primarily involving lungs and airways.
Digestive System: Breaks down food for nutrient absorption, including stomach and intestines.
Endocrine System: Consists of glands that secrete hormones to regulate bodily functions.
Reproductive System: Responsible for producing offspring, encompassing reproductive organs.
Integumentary System: Includes skin, hair, and nails, protecting the body and maintaining temperature.
Lymphatic/Immune System: Defends against infections and diseases via lymph nodes and vessels.

Models: Offer physical or digital representations of anatomy for educational purposes.
Imaging Techniques: Non-invasive methods such as X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and ultrasounds visualize internal structures.