Intro to Anatomy

Introduction to Anatomy

  • Course Instructor: Dr. Natasha Barrett

  • Contact Email: n.e.barrett@reading.ac.uk

  • Copyright: University of Reading

  • Usage of "PROUD TO BE AN ALLY" indicating inclusivity.

  • Orientation as a UNIVERSITY TEACHING FELLOW outlined.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the session, students should be able to:

  • Describe different levels of organization in the body.

  • Use anatomical terminology to name and locate different body regions and the orientation of the body.

  • Improve understanding of anatomical jargon, including prefixes and suffixes.

  • Name and locate the different organs of the body.

  • Describe the cavities of the body.

  • Name and locate the main bones and muscles of the body.

Recommended Reading Materials

  • Available in the library for various programs:

    • For Biomolecular Students: Ross and Wilson (2022). Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 14th Ed. Churchill Livingstone (online version available).

    • For Zoology/Animal Sciences Students: Aspinall and Cappello (2019). Introduction to Animal and Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology. 4th Ed. CABI. (2015 edition available online under Introduction to Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology).

    • Grossman & Porth (2024). Porth's Pathophysiology. 11th Ed. Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins (available in the library).

Levels of Organisation

  • Types of Tissue:

    1. Epithelial Tissue

    2. Connective Tissue

    3. Muscle Tissue

    4. Nervous Tissue

  • Hierarchical organization includes:

    • Atoms

    • Molecules

    • Macromolecules

    • Cells

    • Tissues

    • Organs

    • Systems

    • Organisms

Functions of the Systems

  1. Respiratory System: Provides O2O_2 needed for oxidation (energy provision).

  2. Cardiovascular System: Pumps blood around the body, delivers O2 ,nutrients,andremoves, nutrients, and removes CO2  and waste.

  3. Gastrointestinal Tract: Breaks down nutrients we take in, breaks them down, and absorbs them, and then transports them to the liver for metabolism and further processing via the portal vein. 

  1. Renal System: Controls the contents of the extracellular fluid. ( e.g. plasma, blood & tissue fluid).

  2. Endocrine and Nervous Systems: Coordinates organ system activity through hormones or electrical signals.

  3. Musculoskeletal system: Movement and posture (important for breathing). protecting organs and in general  

Anatomical Terminology - Body Regions

  • Key regional terms:

    • Head / Cranial / Cephalic

    • Facial

    • Cervical (neck)

    • Thorax / Thoracic

    • Abdomen

    • Pelvis

    • Lumbar 

    • Limbs: UEx (Upper Extremity) / LEx (Lower Extremity)

    • Orientation: Left / Right (as determined from a patient’s view)

Standard Anatomical Position

  • Standard anatomical position means we are standing with our palms facing forward 

  • STP can be split up unto: 

  • Lateral (side) view, Cephalic (head), Medial (middle), Frontal (forehead), Superior (upper).

  • Additional regions include:

    • Orbital (eye), Oral (mouth), Cervical (neck), Nasal (nose), Buccal (cheek), Acromial (shoulder), Otic (ear), Sternum (breast), and more.

  • Terms related to movement:

    • Proximal (closer to the point of attachment)

    • Distal (further from the point of attachment)

Abdominal Regions

  • Abdominal regions are divided into 9 sections for accurate description of locations of organs and structures.

Prefixes in Anatomical Terminology

  • Examples of common anatomical prefixes:

    • Sub-: Under, beneath, smaller

    • Hypo-: Under, beneath

    • Infra-: Under, within, below

    • Super- / Supra-: Above, on top of

    • Epi-: Above, upon, on top of

    • Fossa-: Depression, holllow

    • Inter-: Between

    • Ad-: Towards (e.g. muscles)

    • Ab-: Away from (e.g. muscles)

    • Contra-: Opposite

    • Ipsi-: Same

    • Bi-: Two

    • Uni-: One

Anatomical Terminology for Quadrupeds(Dogs) and Fish

  • For quadrupeds/fish, planes include:

    • Frontal/Dorsal Plane: Ventral (frount) - Dorsal (back) - e.g. dorsal fin

    • Transverse Plane: Anterior (head-end) - Posterior (tail-end) - e.g. Cranial-Caudal

    • Median/Sagittal Plane: Medial-Lateral (e.g. dividing a fish straight down the middle with an eye on each side)

    • Proximal-Distal: prominal (close from center)proximal -  Distal (far away)

Anatomical Terminology for Bipeds (Humans)

  • For bipeds, planes are labeled as follows:

    • Frontal Plane: Ventral-Dorsal = Anterior-Posterior

    • Transverse Plane: Cranial-Caudal (dogs) = Superior-Inferior (Humans)

    • Median/Sagittal (not in the center) Plane: Medial-Lateral

    • Proximal-Distal

Body Cavities

  • Most organs are located in cavities primarily for protection.

  • Four main cavities:

    1. Cranial

    2. Thoracic

    3. Abdominal

    4. Pelvic

Cranial Cavity

  • Formed by bones of the skull.

  • Contains the brain.

  • Important bones:

    • Frontal bone

    • Sphenoid bone

    • Temporal bone

    • Occipital bone

    • Maxilla, Nasal bone, etc.]]#m,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thoracic Cavity

  • Formed by ribs/intercostal muscles and sternum, including other structures.

  • Contains:

    • Trachea, 2 bronchi, 2 lungs

    • Heart, aorta, superior and inferior vena cava, and other blood vessels

    • Oesophagus, lymph vessels, and some vital nerves

    • Mediastinum: the space between the lungs which contains the heart and major blood vessels.

Abdominal Cavity

  • Largest cavity in the body.

  • Formed by the diaphragm and surrounding abdominal structures.

  • Contains:

    • Stomach, small intestine, most of the large intestine

    • Liver, gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas

    • Spleen and kidneys, upper parts of ureters

    • Numerous blood vessels, lymph vessels/nodes, and nerves

@@@@@@@@@@@@########################Pelvic Cavity

  • Formed by the pelvis, sacrum/coccyx, and pelvic floor.

  • Contains:

    • Sigmoid colon, rectum, anus

    • Some loops of the small intestine

    • Urinary bladder, lower parts of ureters, and urethra

    • Reproductive systems of both males and females.

The Skeleton

  • Outline of bones for identification:

  • Axial Skeleton: cranial and vertebral bones

  • Appendicular Skeleton: includes limbs and girdles.

  • Major bones include:

    • Clavicle, Scapula, Sternum, Ribs

    • Humerus, Radius, Ulna, Pelvis, Carpal bones, Metacarpal bones, Phalanges

    • Femur, Patella, Tibia, Fibula, Tarsal bones, Metatarsal bones.

Muscles

  • Recap and identification of various muscles within the body muscle groupings.

Summary

  • Key concepts covered include:

    • Levels of organization ranging from atoms to organisms.

    • Anatomical terminology for cavities and bones.

    • Emphasis on the complexity and amazing nature of human anatomy.

Self-study Recommendations

  • If material was challenging:

    • Read introductory chapters in anatomy and physiology texts e.g., Ross and Wilson / Aspinall and Cappello.

    • Listen to the audio of the lecture again.

  • If material was easy:

    • Engage in wider reading via Pubmed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed) and suggested articles related to anatomical nomenclature.

  • Everyone should prepare summary notes for exam revision and engage in exploring anatomy apps as noted during the lecture.

  • Prepare in advance for the next week's lecture by reviewing upcoming slides.