Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology Concepts

Anatomy

The study of the structure and organization of the human body.

Physiology

Focuses on how anatomical structures function.

Microscopic Anatomy

Includes cytology (study of cells) and histology (study of tissues).

Gross Anatomy (Macroscopic Anatomy)

The study of structures visible to the naked eye.

Surface Anatomy

Examines superficial anatomical features.

Regional Anatomy

Studies all structures in a specific area.

Systemic Anatomy

Studies organ systems like the nervous or skeletal system.

Chemical Level

The smallest level of organization, consisting of elements like hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen.

Cellular Level

The smallest unit of life.

Tissue Level

Groups of similar cells, including epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.

Organ Level

Combination of tissues forming organs such as the heart and lungs.

Organ System Level

Groups of organs working together, such as the digestive system.

Organism Level

The entire human body.

Responsiveness

Reaction to stimuli.

Growth & Differentiation

Increase in size and specialization of cells.

Reproduction

Production of offspring.

Movement

Includes external (walking) and internal (blood circulation) movements.

Metabolism

Chemical reactions that provide energy.

Catabolism

Breaking down molecules for energy.

Anabolism

Building up molecules.

Absorption

Intake of nutrients.

Excretion

Elimination of waste.

Anatomical Position

Body erect, facing forward, arms at the sides with palms facing forward, and feet together.

Singular & Plural Forms of Anatomical Terms

-us → -i (alveolus → alveoli), -um → -a (atrium → atria), -is → -es (epiphysis → epiphyses), -on → -a (ganglion → ganglia), -a → -ae (vertebra → vertebrae).

Common Prefixes & Suffixes

A-, an- = Without (e.g., anaerobic), Epi- = Above (e.g., epidermis), Hypo- = Below (e.g., hypodermis), Cyte = Cell (e.g., melanocyte).

Anatomical Landmarks

Includes Head (Cephalon, Cephalic), Neck (Cervicis, Cervical), Chest (Thoracis, Thoracic), Abdomen (Umbilicus, Umbilical), Pelvis (Pelvic), Lower Back (Lumbus, Lumbar), Gluteus (Gluteal), Upper Limb (Axilla, Brachium, Antecubitis, Olecranon, Carpus, Manus, Palma, Pollex), Lower Limb (Femur, Patella, Popliteus, Crus, Sura, Tarsus, Pes, Planta, Hallux).

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ.

Regions

Upper: Right/Left Hypochondriac, Epigastric; Middle: Right/Left Lumbar, Umbilical; Lower: Right/Left Inguinal, Hypogastric.

Superior/Inferior

Above/Below.

Cranial/Caudal

Toward the head/tail.

Anterior/Posterior

Front/Back.

Ventral/Dorsal

Belly side/Back side.

Medial/Lateral

Toward/Away from midline.

Proximal/Distal

Closer/Farther from attachment.

Superficial/Deep

Close to surface/Deep inside.

Supine/Prone

Lying on back/Lying face down.

Bilateral/Ipsilateral/Contralateral

Both sides/Same side/Opposite side.

Frontal (Coronal)

Divides body into anterior/posterior.

Transverse (Horizontal)

Divides into superior/inferior.

Sagittal

Divides into left/right.

Midsagittal

Equal halves.

Parasagittal

Unequal halves.

Oblique

Diagonal cut.

Dorsal

Cranial (brain), Vertebral (spinal cord).

Ventral

Thoracic: Pleural (lungs), Pericardial (heart), Mediastinum (space between); Abdominopelvic: Abdominal (digestive organs), Pelvic (bladder, reproductive).

Pleura

Lungs.

Pericardium

Heart.

Peritoneum

Abdominal cavity.

Simple Squamous

Lungs, blood vessels (diffusion).

Stratified Squamous

Skin, mouth (protection).

Cuboidal & Columnar

Kidney, digestive tract (secretion, absorption).

Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar

Respiratory tract (mucus movement).

Transitional

Bladder (stretching).

Loose

Areolar (binds skin), Adipose (fat storage), Reticular (framework).

Dense

Tendons (muscle to bone), Ligaments (bone to bone).

Cartilage

Hyaline (joints), Elastic (ear), Fibrocartilage (discs).

Bone & Blood

Support & transport.

Skeletal

Voluntary, striated.

Cardiac

Involuntary, striated, intercalated discs.

Smooth

Involuntary, non-striated (digestive tract).

Neurons

Transmit signals.

Neuroglia

Support neurons.

Functions of Integumentary System

Protection, thermoregulation, sensation, vitamin D synthesis.

Epidermis

Keratinized, avascular.

Dermis

Papillary (loose CT), Reticular (dense irregular CT).

Hypodermis

Fat storage.

Epidermal Layers

Basale, Spinosum, Granulosum, (Lucidum in thick skin), Corneum.

Skin Color

Melanin, carotene, blood supply.

Sebaceous (Oil) Glands

Holocrine, secretes sebum.

Eccrine Sweat Glands

Watery, thermoregulation.

Apocrine Sweat Glands

Armpits, odor-producing.

Modified Apocrine Glands

Mammary (milk), Ceruminous (earwax).