Anatomy and Physiology Basics

Anatomy and Physiology Overview

  • Anatomy:
    • Definition: Naming and finding the parts of the body.
    • Focus: Like looking at a toy and naming all the different pieces it has.
  • Physiology:
    • Definition: How the body parts work and play together.
    • Focus: Like learning how the toy moves or what happens when you press a button.

The "Starting Pose" (Anatomical Position)

  • Definition: A special way of standing so that everyone knows where body parts are.
  • How to Stand:
    • Stand up straight and tall.
    • Look forward.
    • Keep your feet just a little bit apart.
    • Put your arms at your sides.
    • Turn your hands so your palms (the front of your hands) face forward.
    • Point your thumbs out to the sides.
  • Why we use it: Even if someone is lying down during a check-up, doctors imagine them in this pose so they can describe where things are correctly.

Direction Words

Up vs. Down (Superior vs. Inferior)
  • Superior:
    • Definition: Means "above" or closer to the head.
    • Example: Your head is superior to your chest.
  • Inferior:
    • Definition: Means "below" or closer to the feet.
    • Example: Your belly is inferior to your heart.
Front vs. Back (Anterior vs. Posterior)
  • Anterior:
    • Definition: The front side of your body.
    • Example: Your chest is on the anterior side of your body.
  • Posterior:
    • Definition: The back side of your body.
    • Example: Your spine is on the posterior side of your body.
Middle vs. Sides (Medial vs. Lateral)
  • Medial:
    • Definition: Moving toward the imaginary line going down the middle of your body.
    • Example: Your belly button is medial.
  • Lateral:
    • Definition: Moving away from the middle, toward the sides.
    • Example: Your arms are lateral to your tummy.