Intro to A&P

Objectives of the Lecture

• Understand early healers' reliance on superstition and magic for healing.

• Differentiate between anatomy and physiology.

• Explore the organization of the human body and study life characteristics.

Evolution of Medical Understanding

• Early healers had limited knowledge of the human body, relying on observational methods.

• Advancement to experimentation and development of anatomical terminology.

• Cadaver dissection significantly contributed to the understanding of human anatomy.

Definitions

• Anatomy: Study of body structure and morphology; derived from Greek meaning "cutting up."

• Physiology: Study of the functions of the body and its parts; derived from Greek meaning "relationship to nature."

• Structure determines function in biological systems.

Organization of the Human Body

• Levels of Organization:

  • Subatomic Particles: Protons, neutrons, electrons.

  • Atoms: Basic units of matter (e.g., hydrogen, carbon).

  • Molecules: Combinations of atoms (e.g., water, glucose).

  • Macromolecules: Large molecules (e.g., DNA, proteins).

  • Organelles: Functional components within cells (e.g., mitochondria, lysosomes).

  • Cells: Basic unit of structure and function (e.g., muscle, nerve, blood cells).

  • Tissues: Groups of similar cells performing specific functions (e.g., adipose tissue).

  • Organs: Structures made of different tissues (e.g., heart, kidney).

  • Organ Systems: Groups of organs working together (e.g., digestive system).

  • Organism: Complete living entity (e.g., human).

Characteristics of Life

• Growth: Increase in cell number, size, and overall body size.

• Reproduction: New cells and organisms created.

• Responsiveness: Reaction to internal or external stimuli.

• Movement: Change in position or internal organ motion.

• Metabolism: Sum of all chemical reactions for energy production and nutrient cycling.

• Respiration: Oxygen intake and carbon dioxide release for energy.

• Digestion: Breakdown of food into absorbable nutrients.

• Circulation: Movement of substances in body fluids.

• Excretion: Removal of waste products.

Requirements for Survival

• Essential needs include:

  • Food

  • Water

  • Oxygen

  • Heat

  • Atmospheric pressure

• Absence of any one of these can lead to inability to survive.

Homeostasis

• Definition: Maintenance of a stable internal environment.

• Importance: Ideal conditions for life are maintained through physiological processes.

• Homeostatic Mechanism Components:

  • Receptor: Detects change (stimulus).

  • Control Center: Evaluates signals; maintains set point.

  • Effector: Responds to control center's signals to return to homeostasis.

Types of Homeostatic Mechanisms

• Negative Feedback:

  • Most common method, reverses deviation to restore balance.

  • Examples: temperature regulation, blood pressure control, glucose balance.

• Positive Feedback:

  • Less common; increases deviation for a temporary change.

  • Examples: blood clotting, uterine contractions during childbirth.

Body Cavities

• Dorsal Body Cavities:

  • Cranial (brain) and spinal cavities (spinal cord).

• Ventral Body Cavities:

  • Thoracic (heart and lungs) and abdominal pelvic cavities (digestive organs).

• Diaphragm separates thoracic and abdominal cavities.

• Serous Membranes:

  • Meninges: Surround cranial and spinal cavities.

  • Pleura: Lines thoracic cavity; includes pleura layers around the lungs.

  • Pericardium: Surrounds the heart.

  • Peritoneum: Covers abdominal pelvic cavity.

Body Systems Overview

• Integumentary: Body covering, temperature regulation, sensory protection.

• Skeletal: Support, blood cell production, protection.

• Muscular: Movement, posture, body heat regulation.

• Nervous: Control and coordination through nerve impulses.

• Endocrine: Coordination through hormones for long-term effects.

• Cardiovascular: Transports nutrients, gases, wastes.

• Lymphatic: Transportation of lymph and immune function.

• Digestive: Breaks down and absorbs nutrients; removes waste.

• Respiratory: Gas exchange, absorption of oxygen.

• Urinary: Waste removal, electrolyte and water regulation.

• Reproductive: Production of sex cells and new organisms.

Anatomical Position and Terminology

• Anatomical Position: Body standing upright, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

• Directional Terms:

  • Superior: above

  • Inferior: below

  • Anterior/Ventral: front

  • Posterior/Dorsal: back

  • Medial: towards the midline

  • Lateral: away from the midline

  • Bilateral: both sides

  • Ipsilateral: same side

  • Contralateral: opposite side

  • Proximal: closer to trunk

  • Distal: away from trunk

  • Superficial: closer to the body surface

  • Deep: more internal

Body Planes:

• Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right.

• Midsagittal Plane: Equal left and right halves.

• Parasagittal Plane: Unequal left and right portions.

• Transverse Plane: Divides body into upper and lower parts.

• Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides body into front and back halves.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

• Quadrants: Four main quadrants help localize pain or organs.

  • Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

  • Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ)

  • Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ)

  • Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

• Regions: Nine regions for detailed location of organs.

Key Body Regions

• Examples include:

  • Ocular: Eye region

  • Auris: Ear region

  • Axillary: Armpit

  • Inguinal: Groin

  • Patellar: Kneecap

  • Tarsus: Ankle

  • Popliteal: Behind the knee

• Understanding these terms will aid in identification and examination in medical contexts.