Anatomy and Physiology (Ch6) EDIT

Anatomy & Physiology Overview

  • Chapter 6: Focus on key systems of the body for Emergency Medical Services.

Musculoskeletal System

Functions

  • Shape: Provides structure to the body.

  • Protection: Shields vital internal organs from injury.

  • Movement: Facilitates bodily movement.

Components

  • Major Structures:

    • Skull and spine

    • Ribs and sternum

    • Shoulders and upper extremities

    • Pelvis and lower extremities

Detailed Anatomy

Skull

  • Function: Encloses and protects the brain.

  • Bones:

    • Cranium: Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital.

    • Face: Orbits, Zygoma, Maxilla, Mandible.

Spinal Column

  • Structure: 33 vertebrae encase the spinal cord.

  • Function: Essential for movement, sensation, vital functions.

  • Thorax Components: 12 ribs (with 2 floating ribs) and sternum protecting heart and lungs.

Pelvis

  • Components: Ilium, Ischium, Pubis.

  • Functions: Supports hip joint and weight of the upper body.

Lower Extremities

  • Bones:

    • Femur

    • Patella

    • Tibia

    • Fibula

  • Details: Includes ankle structures: Lateral malleolus, Medial malleolus, Tarsals.

Foot

  • Components: Metatarsals, Calcaneus (heel), Phalanges (toe bones).

Upper Extremities

  • Bones:

    • Clavicle

    • Scapula

    • Humerus

    • Radius

    • Ulna

  • Wrist and Hand Anatomy: Includes carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges.

Joints

Types of Joints

  • Ball-and-socket: Allows rotational movement.

  • Hinge: Allows movement in one plane.

Muscles

Types of Muscle Tissue

  • Skeletal Muscle: Voluntary control.

  • Smooth Muscle: Involuntary, found in intestines and blood vessels.

  • Cardiac Muscle: Automaticity; generates own electrical impulses.

Respiratory Anatomy

Overview

  • Function: Inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide.

  • Parts:

    • Upper Airway: Mouth, nose, oropharynx, nasopharynx, epiglottis, larynx.

    • Lower Respiratory Tract: Trachea, lungs, bronchi, alveoli, diaphragm.

Respiratory Physiology

Processes

  • Inhalation:

    • Active process; diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract.

    • Creates negative pressure to pull air into lungs.

  • Exhalation:

    • Passive process; diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax.

    • Positive pressure pushes air out.

Key Concepts

  • Ventilation: Gas movement to/from alveoli.

  • Respiration: Gas exchange between cells and bloodstream.

  • Blood Pathway: Oxygenated blood flows from lungs to heart to body; deoxygenated blood returns for gas exchange.

Special Considerations in Pediatrics

  • Differences in anatomy can affect medical treatment: smaller nose, narrower trachea, higher tongue position.

Cardiovascular System

Components

  • Heart: Four chambers—two atria and two ventricles.

  • Blood Vessels: Arteries (carry blood away), veins (return blood), capillaries (exchange).

Blood Flow Pathways

  • Pathway: Right atrium ➔ Right ventricle ➔ Left atrium ➔ Left ventricle.

  • Valves: Tricuspid, Mitral, Aortic, Pulmonary.

Important Arteries

  • Coronary, Aorta, Pulmonary, Carotid, Brachial, Radial, Femoral.

Composition of Blood

  • Plasma: Majority component of blood.

  • Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Erythrocytes, transport oxygen.

  • White Blood Cells (WBCs): Leukocytes, immune response.

  • Platelets: Essential for blood clotting.

Cardiac Conduction System

  1. Sinoatrial (SA) node (pacemaker)

  2. Internodal pathway

  3. Atrioventricular (AV) node

  4. AV bundle (Bundle of His)

  5. Bundle branches

  6. Purkinje fibers

Measuring Blood Pressure and Pulse

  • Pulse: Pressure wave felt in arteries during ventricular contraction.

  • Blood Pressure: Force against vessel walls; Systole/Diastole readings.

Perfusion and Shock

  • Perfusion: Delivery of oxygen and nutrients; removal of waste.

  • Hypoperfusion (Shock): Inadequate circulation leading to cellular injury.

Lymphatic System

  • Functions: Maintains fluid balance; transports lymph.

  • Key Components: Lymph nodes, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, Peyer's patches.

  • Lymphedema: Tissue swelling due to inadequate drainage; affects mainly limbs.

Nervous System

  • Central Nervous System: Comprises brain and spinal cord.

  • Peripheral Nervous System: Includes sensory and motor nerves, autonomic functions.

Integumentary System

Functions

  • Protection, water balance, temperature regulation, excretion, shock absorption.

Skin Layers

  • Epidermis, Dermis, Subcutaneous layer.

Digestive System

  • Function: Mechanisms for food travel and digestion.

  • Components: Stomach, small & large intestines, accessory organs (liver, gallbladder, pancreas).

Endocrine System

  • Function: Hormonal regulation of body activities.

  • Key Organs: Pancreas (insulin production), adrenal glands (epinephrine secretion).

Renal System

  • Function: Regulates fluid levels, filters chemicals, adjusts pH.

  • Key Components: Kidneys, bladder, ureters, urethra.