Anatomy and Physiology: Body Structures, Functions, and Organization

Anatomy

Study of structures of the body & their relationships to each other.

Physiology

Study of the functions of the body parts and how they work to carry out their life-sustaining activities.

Microscopic Anatomy

Studying anatomy with a microscope.

Gross Anatomy

Studying anatomy without a microscope.

Molecular Physiology

Studying the function of individual molecules.

Cellular Physiology

Studying the function of individual cells.

Systemic Physiology

Studying the function of individual organ systems.

Pathophysiology

Studying how diseases & aging alter physiology.

Molecular Level

Atoms combine to form molecules.

Cellular Level

Cells are made up of molecules.

Tissue Level

Tissues consist of cells that are similar in structure and function.

Organ Level

Organs are made up of different types of tissues.

Organ System Level

Organ systems consist of different organs that work together closely.

Organism Level

The human organism is made up of many organ systems.

Motility

Movement of substances through the body (e.g., cardiac muscle & smooth muscle).

Locomotion

Movement of whole body parts (e.g., skeletal muscles).

Stimuli

Changes in the internal/external environment that living things respond to.

Digestion

Breaking down ingested substances.

Absorption

Process of taking in small molecules after digestion.

Metabolism

The sum of all the chemical reactions that keep an organism alive.

Anabolism

The reactions to build large molecules.

Catabolism

The reactions that break down large molecules.

Excretion

The process of waste products (like feces, urea, & carbon dioxide) leaving the body.

Growth

Increase in the size/number of cells.

Repair

Process by which tissues are fixed, requiring cell division and metabolic activity.

Reproduction

The production of offspring.

Homeostasis

Maintenance of stable internal conditions; the central principle of physiology.

Dynamic Homeostasis

Homeostasis is dynamic, meaning it changes to keep things in balance.

Negative Feedback Loops

Most common kind of feedback loop; goal is to get the body back to original set point as quickly as possible.

Response in Negative Feedback

Response reduces (or completely cancels) the impact of the stimulus on the body.

Examples of Negative Feedback

Thermoregulation (e.g., body temp), chemical balance (e.g., pH or blood salinity), hormone levels (e.g., insulin & glucagon-regulate blood sugar).

Positive Feedback Loops

Goal is to create a 'new (temporary) set point'; the response increases the effect of the stimulus.

Examples of Positive Feedback

Blood clotting, labor & delivery, neuron signaling.

Organ Systems Interaction

Complex functions in the body require multiple organ systems working together.

Levels of Organization

All levels of organization are interdependent.

Integumentary System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Muscular System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Skeletal System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Nervous System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Cardiovascular System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Lymphatic/Immune System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Respiratory System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Endocrine System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Digestive System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Urinary System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Reproductive System

One of the 11 organ systems.

Body Cavities

All body's organs are found inside cavities; cavities provide protection to the organs inside them.

Open Cavities

Examples include oral, digestive, nasal, and orbital cavities.

Closed Cavities

Dorsal cavities (cranial & vertebral) protect the brain and spine; ventral cavities (thoracic, abdominal, & pelvic) protect the visceral organs.

Thoracic Cavity

Affected in a patient having a heart attack; specifically the mediastinum part.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Affected in a patient with a UTI; specifically the pelvic cavity.

Pleural Cavity

Part of the thoracic cavity surrounding the lungs; pain may indicate issues with lungs, pleura, or ribs/intercostal muscles.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Used primarily by medical personnel to locate organs.

RUQ Major Organs

Includes liver, gallbladder, right kidney, portions of stomach, small intestine, and large intestine.

RLQ Major Organs

Includes appendix, cecum, right ureter, right ovary & fallopian tube.

LUQ Major Organs

Includes stomach, spleen, left lobe of liver, pancreas, and left kidney.

LLQ Major Organs

Includes most of small intestine, left ureter, sigmoid colon, left ovary, fallopian tube (f), left spermatic cord.

Cephalic

Relating to the head.

Frontal

Pertaining to the forehead or front of the skull.

Orbital

Relating to the eye socket.

Oral

Pertaining to the mouth.

Mental

Relating to the chin.

Cervical

Pertaining to the neck.

Thoracic

Relating to the chest.

Sternal

Pertaining to the sternum.

Axillary

Relating to the armpit.

Mammary

Pertaining to the breast.

Abdominal

Relating to the abdomen.

Umbilical

Pertaining to the navel.

Inguinal

Relating to the groin.

Pubic

Pertaining to the genital region.

Thorax

The part of the body between the neck and the abdomen.

Abdomen

The part of the body containing the digestive organs.

Back (Dorsum)

The posterior part of the body.

Occipital

Relating to the back of the head.

Acromial

Pertaining to the highest point of the shoulder.

Brachial

Relating to the arm.

Antecubital

Pertaining to the front of the elbow.

Antebrachial

Relating to the forearm.

Carpal

Pertaining to the wrist.

Manus

The hand.

Pollex

The thumb.

Metacarpal

Relating to the bones of the hand.

Palmar

Pertaining to the palm of the hand.

Digital

Relating to the fingers or toes.

Co (femoral)

Relating to the thigh.

Popliteal

Pertaining to the back of the knee.

Crural

Relating to the leg.

Sural

Pertaining to the calf.

Fibular or peroneal

Relating to the outer side of the leg.

Pedal

Pertaining to the foot.

Tarsal

Relating to the ankle.

Calcaneal

Pertaining to the heel.

Metatarsal

Relating to the bones of the foot.

Plantar

Pertaining to the sole of the foot.

Hallux

The big toe.

Lateral

Farther from the midline.

Medial

Closer to the midline.

Superior

Above.

Inferior

Below.