Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy = Structure (form) Physiology = Function "All specific functions are performed by specific structures!"

I. Structural Organization

atoms = unit of matter containing identicle particles
elements = units of compounds (molecules) composed of identicle atoms
molecules = various types and numbers of elements bonded together
organelles = functional units of cells composed of various molecules
cells = structural and functional units of an organism
tissues = group of cells with similar structure and function
organ = structure composed of two or more tissue types
organ system = collection of organs that work toward a common purpose

II. Organ Systems

Organ System	Components	Function
Integumentary	Skin, hair, nails	Protection
Skeletal	Bones	Support/Movement
Nervous	Brain, spinal cord, nerves, sense organs	Metabolism
Muscular	Muscles	Movement
Endocrine	Pituitary, Thyroid, Parathyroid, Pineal, Thymus, Adrenal, Pancreas, Ovary, and Testis	Metabolism
Cardiovascular	Heart, blood, blood vessels	Transport
Lymphatic	Lymph vessels and lymph nodes	Transport
Respiratory	Nose, Trachea, Lungs	Transport
Digestive	Mouth, Esophagus, Stomach, Pancreas, Gall Bladder, Intestines, and Colon	Transport/Metabolism
Urinary	Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder, and Urethra	Waste Processing and Elimination
Reproduction	Gonads	Propagation

III. Homeostasis (System Integration)

The body processes a variety of physiological mechanisms that act to prevent potentially detrimental changes in the internal environment of the body.
The body's internal environment is always in a dynamic state of equilibrium. The body maintains conditions (within a narrow range) during a state of continuous change. Maintenance of internal conditions called Homeostasis.
Homeostasis occurs in the body through communication via the nervous and endocrine systems and has three interdependent components:

Control Center - determines a set point or range at which a variable is to be maintained, analyzes the input it receives, and then determines the appropriate response.

Receptor - "sensor" that monitors the environment and responds to changes (stimuli) by sending information (input) to the control center.

Effector - provides the means by which the control center can cause a response (output) to the stimulus

Types of homeostatic responses....
- Negative feedback - output of the system feeds back and decreases the input into the system; therefore, net effect is to decrease original stimulus or reduce its effect. (e.g. body temp regulated by hypothalamus)
- Positive feedback - enhances the original stimulus so that activity (output) is accelerated; therefore, changes proceeds in the same direction. (e.g. blood clotting)

IV. Anatomical References

A. Regional Terms....

cephalic=head
frontal=forehead
nasal=nose
orbital=eye
buccal=cheek
oral=mouth
cervical=neck
mental=chin
acromial=shoulder
sternal=breast bone
axillary=armpit
thoracic=chest
mammary=breast

brachial=arm
antecubital=front elbow
olecranial=back elbow
antebrachial=forearm
popliteal=posterior knee
sural=calf
carpal=wrist
palmar=palm
pollex=thumb
digital=fingers/toes
pubic=genital
patellar=anterior knee
crural=leg

tarsal=ankle
hallux=big toe
occipital=base of skull
vertebral=spinal
scapular=shoulder blade
dorsum=back
lumbar=loin
sacral=between hips
perineal=between anus and genitalia
femoral=thigh
calcaneal=heel
plantar=sole

Diagram of regional terms: Diagram

B. Directional terms....

anterior(ventral)=front
posterior(dorasl)=back
superior(cranial)=upper
inferior(caudal)=lower
medial=midline
lateral=awayfrom midline

intermediate=between medial and lateral
proximal=point of origin
distal=away from origin
superficial=external/surface
deep=internal/beneath surface

C. Body Planes....

Orientation of Plane	Adjective
parallel to the long axis	midsagittal and parasigittal frontal(coronal)
perpendicular to the long axis	transverse
diagonal to the long axis	oblique

Diagram of body planes: Diagram

D. Body Cavities and Membranes....

i. Cavities...

Dorsal = Cranial and Vertebral (spinal)

Ventral = Thoracic (mediastinum, pleural, pericardial) and Abdominopelvic

ii. Membranes...

Serous (serosa) = Parietal (covers cavity) and Visceral (covers organ)

Fibrous = nonfluid filled, structural

E. Body Regions.....

right hypochondriac	epigastric	left hypochondriac
right lumbar	umbilical	left lumbar
right illiac	hypogastric	left illiac

Diagram of body regions: Diagram