Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy

Describes the structures of the body.

Physiology

Is the study of the functions of anatomical structures.

Gross anatomy

Examines large, visible structures.

Surface anatomy

Exterior features.

Regional anatomy

Body areas.

Sectional anatomy

Cross sections.

Systemic anatomy

Organ systems.

Clinical anatomy

Medical specialties.

Pathological anatomy

Study of structural changes caused by disease.

Developmental anatomy

From conception to adulthood, including embryology.

Microscopic anatomy

Examines cells and molecules.

Cytology

Study of cells.

Histology

Study of tissues.

Cell physiology

Functions of cells.

Organ physiology

Functions of specific organs.

Systemic physiology

Functions of an organ system.

Pathological physiology

Effects of diseases on organs or systems.

Chemical Level

Atoms are the smallest chemical units of matter.

Cellular Level

Cells are the smallest living units in the body.

Tissue Level

A tissue is a group of cells working together.

Organ Level

Organs are made of two or more tissues working together.

Organ System Level

An organ system is a group of interacting organs.

Organism Level

An individual life form is an organism.

Integumentary System

Protects against environmental hazards and helps regulate body temperature.

Skeletal System

Provides support and protection for other tissues.

Muscular System

Provides movement and maintains posture.

Maintains posture

Provides protection / support for other tissues.

Generates heat

Maintains body temperature.

Nervous System

Coordinates or moderates activities of other organ systems.

Major Organs of Nervous System

Brain and spinal cord, peripheral nerves, sense organs.

Functions of Nervous System

Generates nerve impulses (action potentials), directs immediate responses to stimuli, provides and interprets sensory information about external conditions.

Endocrine System

Directs long-term changes in the activities of other organ systems.

Major Organs of Endocrine System

Pituitary, thyroid, and adrenal glands; pancreas and gonads; endocrine tissues in other systems.

Functions of Endocrine System

Adjusts metabolic activity and energy use by the body, controls many structural and functional changes during development.

Cardiovascular System

Distributes blood cells, water, nutrients, waste products, oxygen, and carbon dioxide.

Major Organs of Cardiovascular System

Heart, blood, blood vessels.

Functions of Cardiovascular System

Helps to control acid-base balance and water content of the body, distributes heat to control body temperature.

Lymphatic System

Defends against infection and disease.

Major Organs of Lymphatic System

Lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, immune cells (B cells, T cells), spleen, thymus, tonsils.

Functions of Lymphatic System

Returns tissue fluids to the bloodstream.

Respiratory System

Delivers air to alveoli (sites in lungs where gas exchange occurs).

Major Organs of Respiratory System

Nasal cavities, sinuses, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs/alveoli.

Functions of Respiratory System

Provides oxygen to bloodstream, removes carbon dioxide from bloodstream, produces sounds for communication.

Digestive System

Processes and digests food.

Major Organs of Digestive System

Teeth, tongue, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, accessory organs of digestion: liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

Functions of Digestive System

Absorbs and conserves water, absorbs nutrients, stores energy reserves.

Urinary System

Excretes waste products from the blood.

Major Organs of Urinary System

Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra.

Functions of Urinary System

Controls water balance by regulating volume of urine produced, stores urine prior to voluntary elimination, regulates blood ion concentrations and pH.

Male Reproductive System

Produces male sex cells (sperm), seminal fluids, and hormones.

Major Organs of Male Reproductive System

Scrotum, testes, epididymis, ductus (vas) deferentia, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, penis.

Functions of Male Reproductive System

Sexual intercourse.

Female Reproductive System

Produces female sex cells (oocytes) and hormones.

Major Organs of Female Reproductive System

Ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, labia minor/majora, clitoris, mammary glands.

Functions of Female Reproductive System

Supports developing embryo from conception to delivery, provides milk to nourish newborn infant, sexual intercourse.

Basic Life Processes

All living things have certain characteristics that distinguish them from nonliving things.

Metabolism

is the sum of all chemical processes that occur in the body, including catabolism and anabolism.

Responsiveness

is the ability to detect and respond to changes in the external or internal environment.

Movement

includes motion of the whole body, individual organs, single cells, or even organelles inside cells.

Growth

refers to an increase in size and complexity, due to an increase in the number of cells, size of cells, or both.

Differentiation

is the change in a cell from an unspecialized state to a specialized state.

Reproduction

refers either to the formation of new cells for growth, repair, or replacement, or the production of a new individual.

Intracellular Fluid

fluid inside body cells.

Extracellular Fluid

fluid outside body cells.

Interstitial Fluid

ECF filling the narrow spaces between cells.

Plasma

ECF in blood vessels.

Lymph

ECF within lymphatic vessels.

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

ECF in and around the brain and spinal cord.

Synovial Fluid

ECF in the joints.

Aqueous and Vitreous Humor

ECF within the eyes.

Homeostasis

All body systems work together to maintain a stable internal environment.

Homeostatic Regulation

Is the adjustment of physiological systems to preserve homeostasis.

Autoregulation

Automatic response in a cell, tissue, or organ to some environmental change.

Extrinsic Regulation

Responses controlled by nervous and endocrine systems.

Nervous System has electrical signals known as

action potentials.

Endocrine System has chemical messengers known as

hormones.

Receptor

receives the stimulus.

Control Center

processes the signal and sends instructions.

Effector

carries out instructions.

Negative Feedback

The response of the effector negates the stimulus.

Positive Feedback

Initial stimulus produces a response that amplifies the original change in conditions.

Dynamic Equilibrium

continual adaptation.