Lecture Slides 1 - Intro to Anatomy

Anatomy

The study of structure; Greek for "to cut apart"

Physiology

The study of function

Gross anatomy

Study of large, visible structures seen with the unaided eye

Microscopic anatomy

Study of structures seen only with magnification (aided eye)

Cytology

The study of cells

Histology

The study of tissues

Comparative anatomy

Studies similarities and differences across species

Developmental anatomy

Studies structural changes from conception through maturity

Embryology

Studies developmental changes occurring prior to birth

Systemic anatomy

Studies structures involved with a specific activity (e.g., digestive system)

Regional anatomy

Studies all structures within a single region (e.g., muscles/nerves/vessels of the arm)

Surface anatomy

Studies superficial and internal structures as they relate to body surface location

Pathologic anatomy

Studies anatomic changes resulting from disease

Radiographic anatomy

Studies structures visualized by medical imaging (ultrasound, MRI, X-ray)

Levels of structural organization (order)

Chemical → Cellular → Tissue → Organ → Organ system → Organismal

Chemical level

Atoms bond to form molecules with three-dimensional structures

Cellular level

A variety of molecules combine to form the fluid and organelles of a body cell

Tissue level

A community of similar cells forming a body tissue

Organ level

Two or more different tissues combine to form an organ

Organ system level

Two or more organs work closely together to perform body functions

Organismal level

Many organ systems work harmoniously to perform the functions of an independent organism

Integumentary system

Encloses internal body structures; contains sensory receptors

Skeletal system

Provides support and enables movement; composed primarily of bones

Muscular system

Facilitates movement and maintains body temperature; includes skeletal muscles

Nervous system

Processes sensory information and activates responses; brain and spinal cord

Endocrine system

Regulates bodily processes through hormones; includes thyroid, pancreas, etc.

Cardiovascular system

Delivers oxygen and nutrients, removes wastes; heart and blood vessels

Lymphatic system

Returns fluids to blood and defends against pathogens; lymph nodes and vessels

Respiratory system

Delivers oxygen to blood, removes carbon dioxide; lungs and airways

Digestive system

Processes food and removes waste; stomach and intestines

Urinary system

Manages water balance and excretes waste from blood; kidneys and bladder

Reproductive system

Produces hormones and gametes, supports embryo/fetus; testes/ovaries

Anatomical position

Standard reference position: standing upright, feet parallel, arms at sides, palms facing forward

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front of the body

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head

Inferior (caudal)

Toward the tail/lower part of the body

Lateral

Away from the midline

Medial

Toward the midline

Proximal

Close to the trunk (or point of attachment)

Distal

Away from the trunk (or point of attachment)

Superficial

External; closer to the body surface

Deep

Internal; farther from the body surface

Axial region

Head, neck, and trunk; the vertical axis of the body

Appendicular region

Upper and lower limbs

Brachium

The upper arm

Antebrachium

The forearm (lower arm)

Sagittal (median) plane

Divides the body into right and left sides

Midsagittal plane

Divides the body into exactly equal right and left halves

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

Transverse plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior parts (also called cross-sectional/horizontal)

Oblique plane

Passes through a specimen at an angle

Dorsal body cavity

Contains cranial cavity (brain) and spinal cavity (spinal cord)

Ventral body cavity

Contains thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

Thoracic cavity

Houses the heart and lungs

Abdominopelvic cavity

Contains digestive and reproductive organs

Serous membranes

Line body cavities and cover organs; produce serous fluid to reduce friction

Parietal layer (serous membrane)

Lines the walls of a body cavity

Visceral layer (serous membrane)

Covers the organs within a cavity

Pleura

Serous membrane surrounding the lungs (parietal pleura, pleural cavity, visceral pleura)

Pericardium

Serous membrane around the heart (parietal pericardium, pericardial cavity, visceral pericardium)

Peritoneum

Serous membrane in the abdominopelvic cavity covering abdominal/pelvic organs

Abdominal quadrants

RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ — four regions used to localize abdominal structures

Abdominal regions (9)

Epigastric, umbilical, hypogastric, R/L hypochondriac, R/L lumbar, R/L iliac

Myo-

Prefix meaning "muscle"

Sarco-

Prefix meaning "flesh"

Path-

Prefix meaning "disease"

Endo-

Prefix meaning "within"

Parieta-

Root meaning "wall"

-logy

Suffix meaning "study of"

-uria

Suffix meaning "urine"

X-ray imaging

Best for visualizing hard structures (bones/teeth); risk of radiation exposure

CT (Computed Tomography)

Uses X-rays for detailed cross-sectional images; good for soft tissue; higher radiation dose

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging)

Uses magnetic fields/radio waves; no ionizing radiation; good for tumors/abnormalities

PET (Positron Emission Tomography)

Uses radiopharmaceuticals to visualize active physiological processes in real time

Ultrasonography

Uses high-frequency sound waves; least invasive; cannot image through bone or gas