Anatomy, Intro to Human Physiology

Anatomy

the scientific study of the bodies structure

Physiology

The study of the functions of the body parts and how they work together —> focuses on the biological processes that support life

Gross Anatomy

The study of large structures in the body (e.g. bones, i.e. visible)

Microscopic Anatomy

The study/examination of structures in the body with magnification

Developmental anatomy

The study of changes in a structure over a lifetime

Comparative Anatomy

The comparison across species to understand evolution

Chemical level

atoms combine to form molecules

Cellular level

Cells which are the basic unit of life and have specialized functions

Tissue level

Groups of similar specialized function cells that work together to perform specific functions

Organ level

Structure of two or more types of tissues to perform specific functions

Organ system level

organs working together to perform major functions

Organism level

A complete living thing capable of living life

Integumentary

Protects the body, water loss regulation/retains water, regulates temperature, synthesizes vitamin D

Skeletal

provides structure, supports movement, protects organs, stores calcium (e.g. ligaments, bones, cartilage)

Muscular (e.g. skeletal muscles)

enables movement, stabilizes joints, generates heat

Nervous system

Controls voluntary and involuntary responses, processes sensory information (e.g. brain, spinal cord, nerves)

Endocrine System

Regulates body process via hormones, controls growth and metabolism (e.g. hormonal glands)

Cardiovascular System

Delivers nutrients, oxygen, hormones and waste products (e.g. blood vessels, the heart)

Lymphatic System

defends against infection, returns fluid to bloodstream (e.g. lymph nodes, spleen, thymus)

Respiratory system

supplies oxygen and removes carbon dioxide from body (e.g. lungs, trachea, bronchi)

Digestive system

Breaks food down, absorbs nutrients, eliminates waste (e.g. Lungs, trachea, bronchi)

Urinary system

Eliminates waste products, regulates fluid and electrolyte balance (e.g. Kidney, bladder, uthera)

Reproductive (for both sexes) system

Produces gametes and supports reproduction (e.g. ovaries, testes)

Metabolism

Sum of all biochemical processes in the body

Catabolism

Breaks down molecules to smaller units —> exothermic/releases energy, (e.g. digestion of food, ATP production from glucose, lipid breakdown)

Anabolism

Forms/builds complex molecules from simpler molecules —> endothermic/uses energy (e.g. ATP, muscle growth)

Integration

Both Anabolism and catabolism occur simultaneously to maintain stable conditions and energy balance - diabetes and other disorders demonstrate importance

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external changes, ensure optimal functioning of enzymes and physiological processes, prevents diseases caused by imbalances

Sensor

detects changes in a variable (detect temp changes: thermoreceptors)

Receptor

detects changes in a variable (detect temp changes: thermoreceptors)

Control Center

processes information and decides course of action/response (hypothamalus in brain)

Effector

carries out reaction to restore balance in body (muscles shivering because too cold)

Thermoregulation

Maintaining body temperature

Negative feedback

reverses a deviation from a set point to maintain stability

Positive feedback loop

Amplifies change to achieve a specific outcome (blood clotting and birth)

Superior

SToward the head

Cranial

CToward the head

inferior

Itoward the feet

caudal

toward the feet

Anterior

AToward the front

Ventral

Toward the front

Posterior

PToward the back

Dorsal

toward the back

Medial

toward the midline

Lateral

away from midline

Proximal

closer to point of attachment

DIstal

farther from point of attachment

Sagittal

Divides body into left and right

frontal

divides body into anterior and posterior

Transverse

divides body into inferior and superior

dorsal cavity

protects the brain and spinal cord —> includes cranial and spinal cavities

ventral Cavity

houses organs in the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

Thoracic cavity

contains heart and lungs

Abdominal cavity

contains digestive organs

Pelvic cavity

contains reproductive organs

Serous Membrane

thin double layered membranes lining cavities and covering organs —> reduces friction between organs, protective cushioning and maintains separation of organs within body cavities

Pleura

protects/surrounds the lungs

peracardium

protects/surrounds the heart

Peritoneum

Surrounds abdominal organs

Parietal layer

Lines the cavities

Visceral layer

covers the organs

Serous fluid

fills space between layers to reduce frictions