Anatomy Lecture 1

A First Look at Anatomy

What is the definition of anatomy?

The study of external and internal structures

Where does the word “anatomy” come from?

The Latin word “anatome”

What does anatome mean?

To dissect or to cut apart

What is the definition of physiology?

The study of how the body functions

Where does the word “physiology” come from?

The Greek word “phusis”

What does phusis mean?

Nature

What is classified as microscopic anatomy?

Structures too small to be seen without magnification

What is the definition of Cytology?

The study of cells

What is the definition of Histology?

The study of tissues

What is classified as gross anatomy?

Structures that can be seen without magnification

What are the various gross anatomy subdisciplines?

* Comparative
* Developmental
* Embryology
* Regional
* Surface
* Systemic
* Pathologic
* Radiographic
* Surgical

What are the two subdisciplines of anatomy that we focus on?

Regional and Systemic

What is comparative anatomy?

Similarities and differences across species

What is developmental anatomy?

Structural changes from conception through maturity

What is embryology?

Developmental changes occurring prior to birth

What is regional anatomy?

The study of all structures within a single region (Ex: muscles, nerves, blood vessels of the arm)

What is surface anatomy?

Studies superficial and internal structures as they relate to their location on the body surface

What is systemic anatomy?

Studies structures involved with a specific activity (Ex: endocrine, digestive, urinary)

What is pathologic anatomy?

Anatomic changes resulting from disease

What is radiographic anatomy?

Study of structures visualized by medical imaging procedures (Ex: ultrasound, MRI, X-rays)

What is surgical anatomy?

Study anatomic landmarks used before and after surgery

What is an example of surgical anatomy?

Using hip bones as a landmark to find the L4 vertebra prior to back surgery

What is the order of structural organization from smallest to biggest?

1. Atoms
2. Molecules
3. Cells
4. Tissues
5. Organs
6. Organ systems
7. Organisms

What structures are we interested in in this class?

1. Cells
2. Tissues
3. Organs
4. Organ systems
5. Organisms

How many organ systems are there in the human body?

11

What classifies as an organ system?

Organs that work together to perform specific functions

What makes up an organism?

All organ systems

What are all of the organ systems?

1. Integumentary
2. Skeletal
3. Muscular
4. Nervous
5. Endocrine
6. Cardiovascular
7. Lymphatic/immunity
8. Respiratory
9. Digestive
10. Urinary
11. Reproductive

What is the largest organ system?

The integumentary system

What makes up the integumentary system?

Epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis

What is the purpose of the epidermis?

To protect

How would you describe the hypodermis?

Not considered part of the skin as it’s too deep. Subcutaneous

What makes up the skeletal system?

Axial bones, appendicular bones, and ligaments

Where are axial bones?

Central

Where are appendicular bones?

Limbs

How would you describe ligaments?

Connective tissue connecting bone to bone

What is considered axial?

The spinal column (including the coccyx)

Is the clavicle axial or appendicular?

Appendicular

Is the scapula axial or appendicular?

Appendicular

Are hip bones axial or appendicular?

Appendicular (attaches to pelvis)

What makes up the muscular system?

Axial muscles, appendicular muscles, and tendons

How would you describe tendons?

Connective tissue that connects muscle to bone

What makes up the nervous system?

Brain, spinal cord, cranial nerves, and spinal nerves

Where are cranial nerves?

Brain

Where are spinal nerves?

Spinal cord

What makes up the endocrine system? (listed on the slides, not all are included)

Pituitary gland, pineal gland, thyroid gland, and adrenal gland

What does the pineal gland produce?

Melatonin

What is the pineal gland responsible for?

The day/night cycle

What does the thyroid gland look like?

A butterfly

Where are the adrenal glands?

On top of both kidneys

What makes up the cardiovascular system?

Heart, arterial blood vessels, and venous blood vessels

Where do arterial blood vessels carry blood?

Away from the heart

Where do venous blood vessels carry blod?

Return to heart

What is an exception to the oxygen rule for blood vessels?

Pulmonary veins are oxygenated because they go from lungs to heart

What is the primary function of the integumentary system?

Provides protection, regulates body temperature, site of cutaneous receptors, synthesizes vitamin D, prevents water loss

What is the primary function of the skeletal system?

Provides support and protection, site of hemopoiesis (blood cell production), stores calcium and phosphorus, provides sites for muscle attachments

What is the primary function of the muscular system?

Produces body movement, generates heat when muscles contract

What is the primary function of the nervous system?

Controls body movement, responds to sensory stimuli, helps control all other systems of the body. Also responsible for consciousness, intelligence, and memory

What does the endocrine system consist of?

Glands and cell clusters that secrete hormones

What is the primary function of the endocrine system?

Regulate body and cellular growth, chemical levels in the body, and reproductive functions

What is the primary function of the cardiovascular system?

Moves blood through blood vessels to distribute hormones, nutrients, and gases, and pick up waste products

What makes up the lymphatic/immunity system?

Thymus and spleen

Where is the thymus?

At the top of the heart

Why is the thymus so difficult to locate?

It degenerates as we age

What is the purpose of the thymus?

Helps mature T cells (helps with immunity)

What makes up the respiratory system?

Nasal cavity, trachea, and lungs

What makes up the digestive system? (listed in slides, not all are included)

Oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, liver, pancreas

What makes up the urinary system?

Kidney and urinary bladder

What makes up the male reproductive system? (listed in slides, not all are included)

Penis and testis

What makes up the female reproductive system? (listed in slides, not all are included)

Ovaries, uterus, and vagina

Why does the pancreas have a dual function?

It produces both digestive enzymes and hormones

What is the primary system of the pancreas?

Digestive

What is the secondary system of the pancreas?

Endocrine

What is the primary function of the lymphatic system?

Transports and filters lymph and initiates an immune response when necessary

What is lymph?

Interstitial fluid transported through lymph vessels

What is the primary function of the respiratory system?

Responsible for exchange of gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) between blood and the air in the lungs

What is the primary function of the digestive system?

Mechanically and chemically digests food materials, absorbs nutrients, and expels waste products

What is the primary function of the urinary system?

Filters the blood and removes waste products from the blood, concentrates waste products in the form of urine, and expels urine from the body

What is the primary function of the male reproductive system?

Produces male sex cells (sperm) and male hormones (testosterone); transfers sperm to the female

What is the primary function of the female reproductive system?

Produces female sex cells (oocytes) and female hormones (estrogen and progesterone), receives sperm from male, site of fertilization of oocyte, site of growth and development of embryo and fetus, and produces and secretes breast milk for nourishment of newborn

What does anatomical position provide?

A common reference

What are the elements of anatomical position?

1. Standing upright
2. Feet parallel and on the floor
3. Head level and looking forward
4. Arms at sides
5. Palms facing forward


1. Thumbs pointing away from body

What are the different types of planes?

1. Coronal plane
2. Transverse plane
3. Midsagittal plane
4. Oblique

What is another word for the coronal plane?

The frontal plane

Describe the coronal plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

What is another word for the transverse plane?

The cross-sectional plane or horizontal plane

Describe the transverse plane

Divides body into superior and inferior parts

What is another word for the midsagittal plane?

Median plane

Describe the midsagittal plane

Divides body into equal left and right halves

What differentiates midsagittal vs sagittal?

Midsagittal is a perfect equal division while sagittal divides into left and right but can be uneven

Describe the oblique plane

Passes through the specimen at an angle

Define anterior

In front

Define posterior

In back

Define superior

Closer to head

Define inferior

Closer to feet

Define medial

Toward midline

Define lateral

Away from midline

Define proximal

Closest to attachment

Define distal

Furthest from attachment

What are proximal and distal directions used on?

Limbs and extremities