Overview of Human Anatomy

Overview of Anatomy

• Anatomy is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts.
• It can be divided into:
  • Gross Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye.
  • Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures at the cellular or tissue level (includes histology and cytology).

Major Systems in Human Anatomy

1. Skeletal System

   • Composed of bones, cartilages, and ligaments.
   • Major functions: support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production.

2. Muscular System

   • Includes skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
   • Functions: movement, posture, heat production.

3. Nervous System

   • Comprised of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
   • Functions: coordinates body activities, processes sensory information, responds to stimuli.

4. Cardiovascular System

   • Composed of the heart and blood vessels.
   • Functions: transports nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products.

5. Respiratory System

   • Includes organs such as the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm.
   • Functions: gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).

6. Digestive System

   • Composed of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs.
   • Functions: breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste.

7. Urinary System

   • Includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
   • Functions: removes waste from blood, regulates fluid balance and electrolytes.

8. Reproductive System

   • Male: includes testes, prostate, and penis.
   • Female: includes ovaries, uterus, and vagina.
   • Functions: produces gametes, facilitates reproduction.

9. Endocrine System

   • Composed of glands that secrete hormones.
   • Functions: regulates various body functions including metabolism, growth, and mood.

10. Integumentary System

    • Includes skin, hair, nails, and glands.
    • Functions: protects the body, regulates temperature, sensory reception.

Anatomical Terminology

• Anatomical Position: Standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.
• Directional Terms:
  • Superior: above
  • Inferior: below
  • Anterior (ventral): front
  • Posterior (dorsal): back
  • Medial: toward the midline
  • Lateral: away from the midline
  • Proximal: closer to the point of attachment
  • Distal: further from the point of attachment

Body Cavities

• Dorsal Cavity: Includes the cranial and spinal cavities.
• Ventral Cavity: Divided into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
  • Thoracic: contains heart and lungs.
  • Abdominopelvic: contains digestive organs, reproductive organs, and excretory organs.

Common Anatomical Structures

• Cells: Basic unit of life.
• Tissues: Groups of similar cells that perform a specific function (4 types: epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).
• Organs: Structures made up of different types of tissues working together.
• Organ Systems: Groups of organs that perform related functions.

Importance of Anatomy

• Fundamental to understanding physiology and medicine.
• Guides clinical practices and surgical procedures.
• Essential for studying biological sciences and health-related fields.

Anatomy Overview

• Study of the structure of organisms and their parts.
• Divided into gross anatomy (visible structures) and microscopic anatomy (cellular and tissue level).

Major Systems in Human Anatomy

• Skeletal System:
  • Composed of bones, cartilages, and ligaments.
  • Functions: support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production.
• Muscular System:
  • Includes skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscles.
  • Functions: movement, posture, heat production.
• Nervous System:
  • Comprised of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
  • Functions: coordinates body activities, processes sensory information, responds to stimuli.
• Cardiovascular System:
  • Composed of the heart and blood vessels.
  • Functions: transports nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products.
• Respiratory System:
  • Includes organs such as the lungs, trachea, and diaphragm.
  • Functions: gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide).
• Digestive System:
  • Composed of the gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs.
  • Functions: breaks down food, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste.
• Urinary System:
  • Includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.
  • Functions: removes waste from blood, regulates fluid balance and electrolytes.
• Reproductive System:
  • Male: includes testes, prostate, and penis.
  • Female: includes ovaries, uterus, and vagina.
  • Functions: produces gametes, facilitates reproduction.
• Endocrine System:
  • Composed of glands that secrete hormones.
  • Functions: regulates various body functions including metabolism, growth, and mood.
• Integumentary System:
  • Includes skin, hair, nails, and glands.
  • Functions: protects the body, regulates temperature, sensory reception.

Anatomical Terminology

• Anatomical Position: Upright stance, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.
• Directional Terms:
  • Superior: above
  • Inferior: below
  • Anterior (ventral): front
  • Posterior (dorsal): back
  • Medial: toward the midline
  • Lateral: away from the midline
  • Proximal: closer to the point of attachment
  • Distal: further from the point of attachment

Body Cavities

• Dorsal Cavity: Includes the cranial and spinal cavities.
• Ventral Cavity: Divided into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
  • Thoracic: contains heart and lungs.
  • Abdominopelvic: contains digestive organs, reproductive organs, and excretory organs.

Common Anatomical Structures

• Cells: Basic unit of life.
• Tissues: Groups of similar cells that perform a specific function (4 types: epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous).
• Organs: Structures made up of different types of tissues working together.
• Organ Systems: Groups of organs that perform related functions.

Importance of Anatomy

• Fundamental to understanding physiology and medicine.
• Guides clinical practices and surgical procedures.
• Essential for studying biological sciences and health-related fields.