Wk 2 100 - A&P/NC

Human Anatomy

scientific study of the body's structures.

Gross Anatomy (Macroscopic Anatomy)

study of larger structures visible without magnification.

Microscopic Anatomy

study of structures that require a microscope.

Cytology

study of cells.

Histology

study of tissues.

Regional Anatomy

study of all structures in a specific body region.

Systemic Anatomy

study of structures that make up a body system.

Human Physiology

study of the chemistry and physics of body structures and how they work together to maintain life.

Homeostasis

state of steady internal conditions maintained by living organisms.

Neurophysiology

Study of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves and their functions.

Form and Function

are closely related in all living things.

A&P in Study

Understanding anatomy is easier when considering its function.

Basic Architecture of the Human Body

helpful to understand how the smallest parts assemble into larger structures.

Levels of Organization

fundamental levels of organization of human body increase in complexity.

Chemical Level

simplest building blocks of matter.

Subatomic Particles

the smallest components of atoms.

Atoms

smallest unit of an element composed of subatomic particles.

Molecules

Formed by two or more atoms.

Cellular Level

smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism.

Bacteria

Single-cell organisms.

Human Cell

Consists of flexible membranes that enclose cytoplasm and organelles.

Tissue Level

Group of similar cells (or related types) working together to perform a specific function.

Organ Level

Anatomically distinct structure made up of two or more tissue types.

Organ System Level

Group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet physiological needs.

Integumentary System

Includes hair, skin, and nails; encloses internal body structures and is the site of many sensory receptors.

Skeletal System

Includes cartilage, bones, and joints; supports the body and enables movement with the muscular system.

Muscular System

Includes skeletal muscles and tendons; enables movement with the skeletal system and helps maintain body temperature.

Nervous System

Includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves; detects and processes sensory information and activates bodily responses.

Endocrine System

Includes pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, adrenal glands, testes, and ovaries; secretes hormones and regulates bodily processes.

Cardiovascular System

Includes the heart and blood vessels; delivers O2 and nutrients to tissues and equalizes temperature in the body.

Lymphatic System

Includes thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, and lymphatic vessels; returns fluid to blood and defends against pathogens.

Respiratory System

Includes nasal passage, trachea, and lungs; removes CO2 from the body and delivers O2 to blood.

Digestive System

Includes stomach, liver, gall bladder, and large/small intestine; processes food for use by the body and removes wastes from undigested food.

Urinary System

Includes kidneys and urinary bladder; controls water balance in the body and removes wastes from blood and excretes them.

Male Reproductive System

Includes epididymis and testes; produces sex hormones and gametes and delivers gametes to female.

Female Reproductive System

Includes mammary glands, ovaries, and uterus; produces sex hormones and gametes and supports embryos/fetus until birth.

Organism Level

Highest level of organization; a living being that has a cellular structure and can independently perform all necessary physiological functions.

Chemical Level

The most basic level of organization where molecules combine to form cells.

Cellular Level

Cells combine to form tissues.

Tissue Level

Tissues combine to form organs.

Organ Level

Organs combine to form organ systems.

Organ System Level

Organ systems combine to form organisms.

Anatomical Terminology

Precise terminology used by anatomists/healthcare providers to increase accuracy and reduce medical errors.

Origins of Terms

Terms derive from ancient Greek/Latin words, with meanings unchanged.

Structure of Terms

Terms are made up of roots, prefixes, and suffixes.

Root

Refers to an organ, tissue, or condition.

Prefix/Suffix

Describes or modifies the root.

Hypertension

abnormally high blood pressure.

Anatomical Position

body standing upright with feet at shoulder width, parallel, toes facing forward, upper limbs held out to each side, and palms facing forward.

Prone

a face-down orientation.

Supine

Describes a face-up orientation.

Brachium

upper arm.

Antebrachium

lower arm.

Femur

upper part of the lower limb.

Leg

portion of the lower limb between the knee and ankle.

Anterior (or Ventral)

the front/direction toward the front.

Posterior (or Dorsal)

the back/direction toward the back.

Superior (or Cranial)

a position above/higher than another part.

Inferior (or Caudal)

a position below/lower than another part; near/toward the tail (coccyx in humans).

Lateral

the side/direction toward the side.

Medial

the middle/direction toward the middle.

Proximal

a position in a limb that is closer to the point of attachment/trunk.

Distal

a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment/trunk.

Superficial

a position closer to the surface.

Deep

a position farther from the surface.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body/an organ vertically into right/left sides.

Midsagittal Plane

Runs directly down the middle of the body dividing it into equal right/left sides.

Parasagittal Plane

Divides the body into unequal right/left sides.

Frontal Plane

Divides the body/an organ into anterior (front)/posterior (rear) portions.

Transverse Plane

Divides the body/organ horizontally into upper/lower portions.

Dorsal (Posterior) Cavity

Located toward the back of the body.

Ventral (Anterior) Cavity

Located toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal) Cavity

Cavity that includes the cranial and spinal cavities.

Cranial Cavity

Houses the brain.

Spinal (Vertebral) Cavity

Encloses the spinal cord.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)

Colorless fluid produced by the brain that cushions the brain and spinal cord.

Anterior (Ventral) Cavity

Divided into two main subdivisions: Thoracic Cavity and Abdominopelvic Cavity.

Thoracic Cavity

Located superiorly, enclosed by the rib cage, contains the lungs and heart.

Mediastinum

The area where the heart is located within the thoracic cavity.

Diaphragm

Muscle that forms the floor of the thoracic cavity and separates it from the abdominopelvic cavity.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

The largest cavity in the body, containing the abdominal and pelvic cavities.

Abdominal Cavity

Houses the digestive organs.

Pelvic Cavity

Houses the reproductive organs.

Abdominal Regions

Divides the abdominal cavity into 9 regions for clear communication about location of pain.

Abdominal Quadrants

Divides the abdominal cavity into 4 quadrants commonly used in medicine.

Serous Membranes (serosa)

Thin membranes covering the walls and organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Parietal Layer

Lines the walls of the body cavity.

Visceral Layer

Covers the organs (the viscera).

Pleura

Surrounds the lungs in the pleural cavity.

Pericardium

Surrounds the heart in the pericardial cavity.

Peritoneum

Surrounds several organs in the abdominopelvic cavity.

Function of Serous Membranes

Form fluid-filled sacs that cushion and reduce friction on internal organs during movement.

Directional Terms

Essential for accurately describing the relative locations of body structures.

Body Planes

The body's interior is commonly visualized in one of three planes: Sagittal, Frontal (coronal), and Transverse.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into right and left.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Divides the body into front and back.

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into upper and lower.

ICF

Intracellular fluid inside the cell.

ECF

Extracellular fluid outside the cell membrane.

Interstitial Fluid

ECF not contained within blood vessels.