Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy

Study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts.

Physiology

Study of the processes and functions of the body.

Systematic anatomy

Study of the body by systems.

Regional anatomy

Study of the organization of the bodies by areas.

Surface anatomy

Study of the external features of the body.

Anatomical imaging

Techniques used to visualize internal structures of the body.

Gross anatomy

Structures that are large and easily observable.

Microscopic anatomy

Structures that cannot be seen by the naked eye; are very small; needs the aid of a microscope when viewing.

Physiology - Main Goals

1) To understand and predict the body's responses to stimuli. 2) To understand how the body maintains internal conditions within a narrow range of values in the presence of continually changing internal and external environment.

Integumentary System

Forms the external body covering, protects deeper tissue from injury and drying out, synthesizes vitamin D, and is the location of cutaneous nerve receptors.

Skeletal System

Protects and supports body organs, provides muscle attachment for movement, is the site of blood cell formation, and stores minerals.

Muscular System

Allows locomotion, maintains posture, and produces heat.

Lymphatic System

Returns fluids to blood vessels, disposes of debris, and is involved in immunity - destroys bacteria and tumor cells.

Respiratory System

Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.

Digestive System

Breaks down food, allows for nutrient absorption into blood, and eliminates indigestible material.

Nervous System

Fast-acting control system that responds to internal and external change and activates muscles and glands.

Endocrine System

Secretes regulatory hormones for growth, reproduction, and metabolism.

Cardiovascular System

Transports materials in body via blood pumped by heart, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes.

Urinary System

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes, maintains acid-base balance, and regulates materials such as water and electrolytes.

Reproductive System

Production of offspring.

Essential Characteristics of Life

1. Organization 2. Metabolism 3. Responsiveness 4. Growth 5. Development 6. Reproduction.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of a stable internal environment = a dynamic state of equilibrium; must be maintained for normal body functioning and to sustain life.

Homeostatic imbalance

A disturbance in homeostasis resulting in disease.

Homeostatic Components

Receptor, Control center/Integrator, Effector.

Feedback Mechanism - Negative feedback

Includes most homeostatic control mechanisms; shuts off the original stimulus, or reduces its intensity.

Feedback Mechanism - Positive feedback

Increases the original stimulus to push the variable farther; occurs in blood clotting and birth of a baby.

Body Movements

Flexion, Extension, Adduction, Abduction, Internal rotation, External rotation, Circumduction, Protraction, Retraction.

Flexion

Bending a joint.

Extension

Straightening a joint.

Adduction

Movement towards the midline of the body.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body.

Internal rotation

Rotation towards the center of the body.

External rotation

Rotation away from the center of the body.

Circumduction

Circular movement of a limb.

Protraction

Moving a body part forward.

Retraction

Moving a body part backward.