Overview of Anatomy

Definition: Study of the structure of the body and its organs.
Branches:
- Gross Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye.
- Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures at the cellular level (histology).
- Developmental Anatomy: Study of the changes in structure from conception to adulthood (embryology).

Skeletal System
- Composed of bones, cartilage, and ligaments.
- Functions: support, movement, protection, blood cell production, mineral storage.
Muscular System
- Comprised of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
- Functions: movement, posture maintenance, heat production.
Nervous System
- Consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Functions: control of body activities, sensory input processing, response coordination.
Circulatory System
- Includes heart, blood vessels, and blood.
- Functions: transportation of nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste.
Respiratory System
- Composed of the lungs, trachea, and airways.
- Functions: gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
Digestive System
- Includes mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas.
- Functions: breakdown of food, nutrient absorption, waste elimination.
Endocrine System
- Composed of glands (e.g., thyroid, adrenal) that secrete hormones.
- Functions: regulation of metabolism, growth, and sexual development.
Immune System
- Includes lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and white blood cells.
- Functions: defense against pathogens and disease.
Urinary System
- Comprises kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
- Functions: waste removal, regulation of blood volume and pressure, electrolyte balance.
Reproductive System
- Male: testes, prostate, penis.
- Female: ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina.
- Functions: production of gametes, hormone regulation, reproduction.

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

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

Cell Structure:
- Cell membrane: outer boundary.
- Nucleus: control center containing DNA.
- Organelles: specialized structures (e.g., mitochondria, ribosomes).
Tissues:
- Epithelial: covers surfaces and lines cavities.
- Connective: supports, binds, and protects other tissues.
- Muscle: responsible for movement.
- Nervous: transmits impulses for communication.

Anatomy is the study of body structures and organ systems.
Gross anatomy investigates structures visible to the naked eye.
Microscopic anatomy focuses on cellular structures, including histology.
Developmental anatomy examines changes in structure from conception through adulthood (embryology).

Skeletal System: Comprises bones, cartilage, and ligaments; provides support, movement, protection, produces blood cells, and stores minerals.
Muscular System: Made up of skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles; facilitates movement, maintains posture, and generates heat.
Nervous System: Includes the brain, spinal cord, and nerves; controls body activities, processes sensory input, and coordinates responses.
Circulatory System: Comprises the heart, blood vessels, and blood; transports nutrients, gases, hormones, and waste products.
Respiratory System: Consists of the lungs, trachea, and airways; conducts gas exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Digestive System: Encompasses mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas; responsible for food breakdown, nutrient absorption, and waste elimination.
Endocrine System: Includes glands like the thyroid and adrenal glands; regulates metabolism, growth, and sexual development through hormone secretion.
Immune System: Comprises lymph nodes, spleen, thymus, and white blood cells; provides defense against pathogens and diseases.
Urinary System: Contains kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra; involved in waste removal, regulation of blood volume and pressure, and electrolyte balance.
Reproductive System: Male organs include testes, prostate, and penis; female organs include ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina; functions include gamete production and hormone regulation.

Directional Terms:
- Superior: position above another structure.
- Inferior: position below another structure.
- Anterior: located at the front.
- Posterior: located at the back.
- Medial: closer to the midline of the body.
- Lateral: farther from the midline of the body.
- Proximal: closer to the point of attachment.
- Distal: farther from the point of attachment.
Planes of the Body:
- Sagittal plane: divides the body into left and right portions.
- Coronal (Frontal) plane: divides the body into anterior and posterior sections.
- Transverse (Horizontal) plane: divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Dorsal Cavity: Includes cranial cavity (houses the brain) and spinal cavity (surrounds the spinal cord).
Ventral Cavity: Contains thoracic cavity (encloses the heart and lungs) and abdominopelvic cavity (houses digestive and reproductive organs).

Cell Structure:
- Cell membrane: acts as the outer boundary of the cell.
- Nucleus: the control center that contains genetic material (DNA).
- Organelles: specialized structures within cells, such as mitochondria (energy production) and ribosomes (protein synthesis).
Tissues:
- Epithelial: covers body surfaces and lines cavities.
- Connective: supports, binds, and protects other tissues.
- Muscle: facilitates movement of the body.
- Nervous: transmits impulses, enabling communication within the body.