Chapter 1 An Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy

the study of body structure

Gross/Macroscopic anatomy

the study of large, visible structures

Regional anatomy

specific regions of the body such as the head or chest

Systemic anatomy

studies the anatomy of each functional body system

Surface anatomy

study of general form and superficial markings

Clinical Anatomy

examines anatomical features of both healthy tissue and diseased tissue; information is used for diagnosis and treatment as well as the development of prevention strategies

Pathological Anatomy

study of structural changes caused by disease, sometimes considered to be a subcategory of clinical anatomy

Radiographic Anatomy

studies internal structures as visualized by X-ray images or specialized scanning procedures

Developmental Anatomy

traces structural changes that occur in the body throughout the life span

Surgical Anatomy

studies anatomical landmarks important for surgical procedures

Microscopic anatomy

studies structures too small to be seen with the naked eye

Cytology

study of cell structures

Histology

study of tissues

embryology

study of embryos and their development

Physiology

the study of body function

Cell Physiology

the study of the functions of living cells
-includes events at the chemical or molecular levels- both chemical processes within cells and between cells

Organ Physiology

study of the function of specific organs

Systemic Physiology

studies all aspects of the functioning of specific organ systems

Pathological Physiology

the study of the effects of diseases on organ functions or system functions

Cadaver

a dead body, esp. a human body to be dissected

Chemical level

atoms and molecules

Cellular level

molecules combine to form cells

Tissue level

Tissues consist of similar types of cells

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

Any living thing; organ systems combine to form an organism

Atmospheric pressure

the pressure caused by the weight of the atmosphere

Homeostasis

process by which organisms maintain a relatively stable internal environment

Variable

A factor that can change in an experiment

Receptor

typically a protein that detects a signal molecule and performs an action in response; a receptor is found on or in a cell, and is a specific protein to whose shape fits that of a specific molecular messenger, such as a hormone

Control center

processes the signal and sends instructions

Effector

an organ or cell that acts in response to a stimulus; provides the means for the control center's response to the stimulus

Positive Feedback loop

a feedback loop in which change in a system is amplified

Negative Feedback loop

A feedback loop in which a system responds to a change by returning to its original state, or by decreasing the rate at which the change is occurring.

Homeostatic imbalance

disturbance of homeostasis; which may result in disease if prolonged

Anatomical position

To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward

Direction terms

• Dorsal (up) - Ventral (down)
• Anterior (front) - Posterior (rear)
• Lateral (side) - Medial (middle)

Axial part

Makes up the main axis of our body, includes the head, neck, and trunk.

Appendicular part

consists of the appendages, or limbs, which are attached to the body's axis

Regional terms

Anatomical terms that refer to specific visible landmarks on the surface of the body

Body sections

sagittal, transverse, coronal (frontal)

Supine

lying face up; or forearm facing up

Prone

lying face down; or forearm facing down

Distal

farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Posterior

toward the back

Dorsal

pertaining to the back

Anterior

toward the front

Ventral

pertaining to the anterior or front side of the body; opposite of dorsal

Cranial

toward the head; skull

Cephalic

pertaining to the head

Caudal

toward the tail

Superficial

(adj.) on or near the surface; concerned with or understanding only what is on the surface, shallow

Deep

Away from the body surface; more internal

Body planes

imaginary vertical and horizontal lines used to divide the body into sections for descriptive purposes; and used in imaging techniques

Sagittal Plane

a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left parts

Median plane/midsagittal plane

divides body into two equal parts (right and left)

Parasagittal planes

run parallel to the median plane and divide the body into unequal left and right parts

Frontal Plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior portions

Coronal Plane

An imaginary plane where the body is cut into front and back parts.

Transverse Plane/horizontal plane

divides the body into upper and lower portions

Oblique sections

cuts made diagonally

Dorsal body cavity

cranial cavity and spinal cavity

Thoracic Cavity

cavity housing lungs and heart

Abdominopelvic Cavity

contains both the abdominal and pelvic cavities

Right Upper Quadrant

Liver, gallbladder, right kidney, portions of stomach, small and large intestine

Left upper quadrant

stomach, spleen, left kidney, pancreas

Right lower quadrant

portion of the large intestine (cecum), appendix, right ovary and tube, right ureter, right spermatic cord

Left lower quadrant

part of descending colon, left ovary and tube
left ureter, left spermatic cord

Umbilical Region

The centermost region, which includes the umbilicus

Epigastric Region

superior to the umbilical region

Pubic (hypogastric) region

inferior to the umbilical region

Right and left Inguinal Region

Right/left side of the hypogastric region

Right and left Lumbar Region

lateral to the umbilical region

Right and left Hypochondriac Region

lateral to the epigastric region

Pericardial Cavity

surrounds the heart and is formed by the visceral and parietal pericardial (serous) membranes. Filled with serous fluid

Pleural Cavity

surrounds each lung and is formed by the visceral and parietal pleural (serous) membranes. Filled with pleural (serous) fluid.

Peritoneal Cavity

space between the parietal and visceral peritoneum (peritoneal serous membranes); filled with serous fluid.

Mediastinum

area between the lungs containing the heart, aorta, venae cavae, esophagus, and trachea

Visceral Pleura

the inner layer of pleura that surrounds each lung

Parietal Pleura

outer layer of pleura lying closer to the ribs and chest wall

serosa/serous membrane

thin, double-layered membrane, lines walls of ventral body cavity and outer surfaces of organs

Serous fluid

A clear, watery fluid secreted by the cells of a serous membrane; lubricates the organs and allows them glide without friction

True Body Cavity

body cavities that are made with serous membranes

MRI

Magnetic Resonance Imaging; a technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce computer-generated images that distinguish among different types of soft tissue; e.g. allows us to see structures within the brain

X-Ray

Radiographic image used to diagnose skeletal changes in the body

CT scan

a series of x-ray photographs taken from different angles and combined by computer into a composite representation of a slice through the body

Ultrasound

imaging of internal body structures by recording echoes of sound waves