Chapter 1: The Study of Human Anatomy

Anatomy

study of the structural basis of body function.

Physiology

study of the functional relevance of a structure.

Functional morphology (3F’s)

“Form Follows Function”

Gross Anatomy (Cadaver Anatomy)

The word “anatomy” means to cut, and, for many centuries, the only way to visualize what lay beneath the skin was to perform cadaver dissections.

Inspection

Methods of Anatomical Study. Looking at surface appearance

Palpation

Methods of Anatomical Study. Feeling a structure

Auscultation

Methods of Anatomical Study. Listening to normal sounds

Percussion

Methods of Anatomical Study. Tapping and listening

Dissection

Methods of Anatomical Study. Cutting and separating of tissues

Radiology

branch of medicine concerned with imaging.

Invasive medical imaging

inserted into the body

non-invasive medical imaging

no penetration of the body

Radiography

Techniques of Radiology. X-ray or radiograph. Contrast medium – for visualization of hollow organs. Angiography – blood vessels

Computed Tomography (CT scan)

Techniques of Radiology. Cross-section X-rays (look at it from the direction of feet to head). Equivalent radiation doses of 100-200 simple chest X-rays

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Techniques of Radiology. Soft tissue visualization. Uses magnets, not radiation.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Techniques of Radiology. Gamma ray detection. Nuclear medicine (use of radioisotopes). Used for finding active cell division/active sites in the body.

Sonography

Techniques of Radiology. reflection of ultrasound waves. Sonogram – obstetrics, emergency medicine, other diagnostic procedures. Echocardiography – beating heart.

Integumentary system

Principal organs: skin, hair, nails, cutaneous glands. Principal functions: protection, water retention, thermoregulation, vitamin D synthesis, cutaneous sensation, nonverbal communication.

skeletal system

Principal organs: bones, cartilages, ligaments. Principal functions: support, movement, protective enclosure of viscera, blood formation, mineral storage, electrolyte and acid-base balance.

muscular system

Principal organs: skeletal muscles. Principal functions: movement, stability, communication, control of body openings, heat production.

lymphatic system

Principal organs: lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, thymus, spleen, tonsils. Principal functions: recovery of excess tissue fluid, detection of pathogens, production of immune cells, defense against disease.

respiratory system

Principal organs: nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs. Principal functions: absorption of oxygen, discharge of carbon dioxide, acid-base balance, speech

digestive system

Principal organs: teeth, tongue, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, liver, gallbladder, pancreas. Principal functions: nutrient breakdown and absorption. liver functions include metabolism of carbohydrates, li[ids, proteins, vitamins, and minerals; synthesis of plasma protein; disposal of drugs, toxins, and hormones; and cleansing of blood.

nervous system

Principal organs: brain, spinal cord, nerves, ganglia. Principal functions: rapid internal communication, coordination, motor control, and sensation.

endocrine system

Principal organs: pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, parathyroid glands, thymus, adrenal glands, pancreas, testes, ovaries. Principal functions: hormone production; internal chemical communication and coordination.

urinary system

principal organs: kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, urethra. prinicpal functions: elimination of wastes; regulation of blood volume and pressure; stimulation of red blood cell formation; control of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance; detoxification

male reproductive system

principal organs: testes, epididymites, spermatic ducts, seminal vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, penis principal functions: production and delivery of sperm; secretion of sex hormones

female reproductive system

principal organs: ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, mammary glands principal functions: production of eggs; site of fertilization and fetal development; fetal nourishment; birth; lactation; secretion of sex hormones.

Anatomical Position

Standing erect with feet flat, ankles together. Arms at the sides (supinated). Palms, face, and eyes facing forward. Provides a constant reference of body position. Note your reference vantage point for identifying left and right structures

prone

plane of reference. face down

supine

planes of reference. face up

frontal plane

planes of reference. Vertically cut in half. front and back half. anterior/posterior portions

sagittal plane

planes of reference. cut in half left and right sides. Median (midsagittal) plane – equal halves. Parasagittal – unequal right/left portions.

transverse plane

planes of reference. cut in half below the waist and above the waist. superior/inferior portions

anterior

toward the front of the body

posterior

toward the back of the body

ventral

toward the anterior side

dorsal

toward the posterior side

superior

above

inferior

below

medial

toward the midline of the body

lateral

away from the midline of the body

proximal

closer to the point of attachment or origin

distal

farther from the point of attachment or origin

superficial

closer to the body surface

deep

farther from the body surface

Axial Region of the Body

Head. Neck (cervical region). Trunk. Thoracic region. Lungs, Heart, Mediastinum. Abdominal region. Four quadrants. Nine regions. Lots and lots of organs

Appendicular Region of the Body

Shoulder Girdle & Upper limbs

• Scapula

• Clavicle

• Arm (brachial region)

• Forearm (antebrachial region)

• Wrist (carpal region)

• Hand (manual region)

• Fingers (digits)

• Pelvic Girdle & Lower limbs

• Pelvic Bones – Ileum, Ischium, Pubis

• Thigh (femoral region)

• Leg (crural region)

• Ankle (tarsal region)

• Foot (pedal region)

• Toes (digits)

Cranial cavity

Enclosed by cranium (braincase). Contains brain.

Vertebral canal

Enclosed by vertebral column (backbone). Contains spinal cord.

Thoracic cavity

Superior to the diaphragm

Mediastinum

lung and heart cavity

Pericardium

Pericardial cavity, a small, fluid-filled space located between the two layers of the serous pericardium surrounding the heart. Pericardial fluid.

Pleura

Pleural cavity, two fluid-filled spaces located inside the chest that surround the left and right lungs. Pleural fluid.

Abdominal cavity

Superior portion. Contains most of the digestive organs. Spleen, kidneys, and ureters.

Pelvic cavity

Inferior portion. Distal large intestine, urinary bladder, urethra, and reproductive organs

Peritoneum

Peritoneal cavity, a fluid-filled potential space inside the abdomen located between the parietal peritoneum (which lines the abdominal wall) and the visceral peritoneum (which covers abdominal organs). Retroperitoneal position–outside of peritoneum. Intraperitoneal –surrounded by peritoneum. Peritoneal fluid.