A+P1

Chapter 1: introduction to anatomy and physiology

Anatomy: “cut up” or dissect 

Study of internal or external structures, also the study of relationships of the body parts

Physiology: Study of how living organism perform the functions that are essential to life


Anatomy and physiology are closely linked together

Key concept: all specific functions are performed by specific structures, Structure always goes with function


Gross anatomy: macroscopic anatomy, involves examining fairly large structures. 

The following terms are all different types of gross anatomy… 

Surface anatomy: or superficial anatomy is the study of the general form of the body’s surface, especially in the relation to it’s deeper parts. 

Regional anatomy: focuses on the anatomical organization of specific area of the body, such as the head, neck, or trunk. 

Sectional anatomy: the study of the relationship of the body’s structure by examining cross sections of tissues or organs

Systemic anatomy: the study of the structure of organ systems, which are groups of organs that function together in a coordinated manner. Ex.] the skeletal system

Clinical anatomy: includes a number subspecialties important in clinical practice. 

Developmental anatomy: describes the changes in for that take place between conception and adulthood. 

Microscopic anatomy : deals with structures that we cannot see without magnification. 


Microscopic anatomy consists of two major subdivisions: Cytology, Histology.


Cytology is the study of the internal structure of individual cells, the simplest unites of life.

Histology is the examination of tissues - groups of specialized cells that work together to perform specific functions 


Cell physiology: the study of functions of cells, this is the cornerstone of human physiology. Looking deep into the chemistry of the cell, including chemical processes within cells and chemical interactions in the cell

Organ physiology: is the study of the functions of specific organs. For example cardiac physiology, would be the examination of the specific functions of the heart

Systemic physiology: includes all aspects of the functioning of specific organ systems, for example cardiovascular physiology, respiratory physiology, and reproduction physiology. 

Pathological Physiology: is the study of the effects of diseases on organ functions or system functions. Modern medicine depends on an understanding of both normal physiology and pathological physiology. 


Levels of organizations from molecules to organisms

1st - chemical level: atoms combine to form molecules.

2nd - cellular level: Molecules work together to form structural and functional components of the cell 

3rd - Tissue level: Groups of cells working together to perform a specific function

4th - Organ level: two or more tissues working together to perform one or more specific functions

5th - Organ system level: multiple organs that are going to work together to create a system

Heart + blood + blood vessels

6th: organism level: all organ systems working together.