Anatomy and Physiology: Key Concepts and Body systems

Anatomy

Study of STRUCTURE of body parts and their relationship to one another

Physiology

study of FUNCTION of body; how parts work to carry out life-sustaining activities

Reference male

A healthy, young male weighing about 155 lbs = 70 kg

Reference female

A healthy, young female weighing about 125 lb = 57 kg

Sex

Refers to a set of biological attributes/ based on chromosomes, gene expression, and hormone action

Gender

Psychosocial construct consisting of behavior, expressions, and identities

Subdivisions of anatomy

Gross or macroscopic, microscopic, developmntal

Gross/Macroscopic Anatomy

study of large structures visible to the naked eye

Regional anatomy

(Gross) al the structures in a particular area of the body

System anatomy

(Gross) just one system (cardiovascular, nervous, muscular)

Cytology

(Microscopic) study of cells

Histology

(Microscopic) study of tissues

Microscopic anatomy

Structures too small to be seen with the naked eye

Developmental anatomy

Traces structural changed that occur throughout the life span

Embryology

(Developmental) study of developmental changes that occur before birth

Essential tools to understand anatomy

Observe, manipulate, palpate, ausculate

Medical imaging technology

Tools used to view inside the body without surgery (e.g., x-

ray, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed

tomography (CT), and ultrasound)

Palpate

Feeling organs with your hands

Auscultate

Listening to organs with a stethoscope

Subdivisions of Phsyiology

Renal physiology, neurophysiology, cardiovascular physiology

Renal Physiology

Functions of the kidneys

Neurophysiology

Functions of the nervous sytsem

Cardiovascular physiology

Functions of the heart and blood vessels

Principle of complementarity of structure and function

Function always reflects structure/ what structure can do depends on its specific form

Levels of structural organization from simplest to complex

Chemical lvl, Cellular lvl, Tissue lvl, Organ lvl, Organ System lvl, Organismal lvl

Chemical lvl

Atoms and molecules

Cellular lvl

Cells and organelles

Tissue lvl

Groups of similar cells

Organ lvl

Contains two or more types of tissues

Organ system lvl

Organs that work closely together

Organismal lvl

All organ systems combined to make the whole organism

Human body has 11 organ systems

Integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous endocrine, circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, urinary, digestive, reproductive

Integumentary system

External body covering, and protects deeper tissues from injury. Synthesizes vitamin D, and houses cutaneous (pain, pressure, ect.) receptors, and sweat and oil glands

Skeletal system

Protects and supports body organs, and provides a framework the muscles use to support movement. Made up of bones and joints. Blood cells are farmed within bones. Bones store minerals

Muscular system

Allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression. Maintains posture, and produces heat.

Nervous system

Control system of the body. It responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands.

Endocrine system

Glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells.

Cardiovascular system

Blood vessels transport blood, which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes, ect. The heart pumps blood.

Lymphatic system/immunity

Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels, disposes of debris in the lymphatic stream. Houses white blood cells (lymphocytes) involved in immunity. The immune response mounts attack against foreign substances in the body.

Respiratory system

Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide. These exchanges occur through the walls of the air sacs of the lungs.

Digestive system

Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter the blood for distribution to body cells.

Urinary system

Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from the body. Regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance of the blood.

Male reproductive system

Overall function is production of offspring. Testes produce sperm and male sex hromone

Purpose of the male ducts and glands

Aid in delivery of sperm to the female reproductive tract.

Female reproductive system

Produces female sex hormones, produces eggs for reproduction and provides sites for fertilization and development of the fetus.

Mammary glands

Part of female reproductive system, located in breasts and produces milk to nourish the newborn.