Anatomy & Physiology I

Anatomy & Physiology I

Course Introduction

  • Institution: Loyalist College of Applied Arts & Technology
  • Course Code: ANAT 1015

Instructor Information

  • Instructor's Name: Bethany Boyle
  • Contact: bboyle@loyalistcollege.com
  • Professional Experience:
    • 12 years as a Medical Radiation Technologist
    • Experience in X-Ray, CT, and Mammography
    • Currently casual at Quinte Health
  • Education Background:
    • Graduated from Algonquin College as an MRT
    • Bachelor of Health Science from Dalhousie University

Safety & Emergency Response

  • Resources:
    • SDS RiskAssist documentation

Course Materials

  • Free Textbook: Anatomy and Physiology 2e by OpenStax - Available for download
  • Reference Text:
    • Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures - 3-Volume Set - 15th Edition | Elsevier
    • RTR-Companion-2019_FINAL.pdf

Sequence of Events

  • Course structure and sequence details to be outlined by instructor.

Course Learning Outcomes

  1. Explain bone development, growth structure, and movement of bones and joints.
  2. Identify surface anatomy, body planes, abdominal regions, and appendicular/axial skeletal bones.
  3. Describe histology of skin, muscle, bone cells, bone structure, and joints.
  4. Differentiate bones/joints of the appendicular/axial skeleton on radiographic images.
  5. Evaluate radiographic images for normal bone structure and normal variants.

Course Assessments

  • Assignment #1: 15%
  • Module #3 Test: 15%
  • Module #4 Test: 15%
  • Group Presentation: 10%
  • Module #5 In-Class Written Assignment: 15%
  • Class Participation: 10%
  • Final Exam: 20%

Required Readings

  • Anatomy & Physiology, OpenStax College, Rice University
    • Chapter 1: Section 1.2, 1.3, 1.5, 1.6
  • Merrill's Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures
    • Chapter 2: pg. 45-51, 64-65

Learning Objectives

General Objectives
  • Identify and connect the levels of tissue organization.
  • Identify systems within the human body.
  • Understand the basic functions of the human body and the role of homeostasis.

Key Terms

  • Anatomy: The study of the body structures and their relationships.
  • Histology: The study of the microscopic anatomy of cells and tissues.
  • Physiology: The study of the function of body organs.
  • Pathology: The study of diseases affecting the body.

Levels of Organization

  1. Chemical Level:

    • Building blocks of matter (subatomic matter, atoms, and molecules).
    • Atoms bond to form molecules with three-dimensional structures.
    • Example: Water molecule.

  2. Cellular Level:

    • A variety of molecules combine to form the fluid and organelles of a body cell.
    • Example: Smooth muscle cell.
    • Organelle components include cell fluid and various structures.

  3. Tissue Level:

    • A community of similar cells forms a body tissue.
    • Example: Smooth muscle tissue.

  4. Organ Level:

    • Two or more different tissues combine to form an organ.
    • Example: Bladder, kidney, ureter.

  5. Organ System Level:

    • Two or more organs work closely together to perform functions of a body system.
    • Example: Urinary tract system.

  6. Organismal Level:

    • Many organ systems work harmoniously together to perform the functions of an independent organism.
    • Example: Bladder and urethra functioning together.

Comprehensive Overview of Levels of Organization

Chemical Level
  • Atoms: building blocks of matter.
  • Molecules: combinations of atoms.
Cellular Level
  • Definition: Smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism.
  • Importance: Responsible for all life processes.
Tissue Level
  • Definition: A group of similar cells that work together to perform a specific function.
  • Types: Epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissues.
Organ Level
  • Definition: Structure of the body composed of two or more tissue types performing a physiological function.
  • Example: Heart, lungs, etc.
Organ System Level
  • Definition: A group of organs that work together to perform major functions or meet the physiological needs of the body.
  • Example: Digestive system.
Organism Level
  • Definition: Organ systems working together to function as a whole living being, capable of all necessary life functions.

Types of Tissue

Epithelial Tissue
  • Characteristics: Sheets of cells covering exterior surfaces, lining internal cavities and passageways, forming certain glands.
Connective Tissue
  • Function: Binds cells and organs together, supports, and integrates all parts of the body.
Muscle Tissue
  • Function: Responds to stimulation and contracts to provide movement and force.
  • Types: Skeletal (voluntary), smooth muscle, and cardiac muscle.
Nervous Tissue
  • Function: Propagates electrochemical signals in the form of nerve impulses that communicate between different regions of the body.

Systems of the Human Body

  1. Integumentary System: Skin.
  2. Skeletal System
  3. Muscular System
  4. Nervous System
  5. Endocrine System
  6. Cardiovascular System
  7. Lymphatic & Immune System
  8. Respiratory System
  9. Digestive System
  10. Urinary System
  11. Reproductive System

Functions of the Human Body

  1. Metabolism: The sum of anabolic and catabolic reactions.

    • Anabolism: Molecules from food combine to form complex substances (uses energy).
    • Catabolism: Large molecules break down for the body to use (releases energy).

  2. Responsiveness: Ability to change in response to internal/external environments.

    • Example: Increase in body temperature may cause sweating or dilation of blood vessels.

  3. Movement: Motion of joints, muscles, organs, and cells.

    • Example: Muscles propelling food through the digestive system.

  4. Growth: Increase in the number of cells, non-cellular material around cells, and size of existing cells.

  5. Differentiation: Unspecialized cells become specialized in structure and function.

  6. Reproduction: Formation of new organisms from parent organisms.

Homeostasis

  • Definition: Condition of equilibrium in the body’s internal environment.
  • Feedback Systems: Cycles of monitoring, evaluating, and changing body conditions.
    • Example: Body temperature regulation.
  • Basic Components of Feedback Systems:
    • Sensor: Monitors physiological value.
    • Control Center: Compares value to normal range.
    • Effector: Causes change to reverse the situation.

Types of Feedback

  1. Negative Feedback:

    • Example: Body temperature exceeds 37°C.
    • Sensors are nerve cells in the skin; the control center is the temperature regulatory center in the brain; the effector is sweat glands to increase heat loss.

  2. Positive Feedback:

    • Example: during childbirth, nerve impulses from the cervix trigger the brain, stimulating the pituitary gland to secrete oxytocin, leading to increased uterine contractions, pushing the baby towards the cervix.

Key Takeaways

  • Organization levels: Atoms -> Molecules -> Cells -> Tissue -> Organ -> Organ System -> Organism.
  • Tissues: Epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous.
  • Functions: Metabolism, responsiveness, movement, growth, differentiation, reproduction.
  • Homeostasis maintains internal equilibrium.

Body Cavities and Anatomical Terminology

Dorsal Body Cavity
  • Cranial Cavity
  • Vertebral Cavity
Ventral Body Cavity
  • Thoracic Cavity
    • Pleural, pericardial, mediastinal.
  • Abdominal Cavity
    • Abdominopelvic, pelvic.
Anatomical Position
  • Head neutral, gaze fixed ahead, toes forward.
  • Arms beside the body, palms forward.
  • Lower limbs close together but not touching, knees forward.

Anatomical Planes

  1. Sagittal Plane: Divides body into right and left.
  2. Coronal Plane: Divides body into anterior and posterior.
  3. Transverse (Axial) Plane: Divides body into upper and lower halves.
  4. Mid-Sagittal Plane: Divides body into equal right/left halves.
  5. Oblique Plane: Passes through body at any angle other than mentioned.

Directional Terminology

  • Proximal: Nearer to the trunk or origin.
  • Distal: Further from the trunk or origin.
  • Medial: Closer to the midline.
  • Lateral: Further from the midline.
  • Superficial: Closer to the surface.
  • Deep: Further from the surface.
  • Anterior (Ventral): Front of the body.
  • Posterior (Dorsal): Back of the body.
  • Superior: Closer to the head.
  • Inferior: Closer to the feet.
  • Cranial: Closer to the head.
  • Caudal: Closer to the buttock/tail.

Surface Landmarks

  • Definition: External indicators used to locate anatomical structures not visible directly.
  • Purpose: To correctly position the patient and minimize repeat imaging.

External Landmarks

  • Cervical Area:
    • C1: Mastoid Tip
    • C2, C3: Gonion (angle of Mandible)
    • C3, C4: Hyoid Bone
    • C5: Thyroid Cartilage
    • C7: Vertebra Prominence
  • Thoracic Area:
    • T1: 5 cm above level of the jugular notch
    • T2, T3: Level of jugular notch
    • T4, T5: Level of sternal angle
    • T7: Level of inferior angles of scapulae
    • T9, T10: Level of xiphoid process
  • Lumbar Area:
    • L2, L3: Inferior costal margin
    • L4, L5: Superior aspect of iliac crests
  • Sacral & Pelvic Area:
    • S1, S2: ASIS level
    • Coccyx: Level of pubic symphysis/greater trochanters

Key Takeaways

  • Body cavities provide organization for internal structures, aiding in identification and diagnosis.
  • Anatomical position provides a baseline for descriptions of anatomical relationships.
  • Anatomical planes divide the body for visualization and descriptions.
  • Directional terminology standardizes communication about location and orientation of structures.
  • Surface landmarks guide MRTs in accurate patient positioning for imaging.

Questions?

  • Open floor for student inquiries.

References

  • Betts, J. G., Young, K. A., Wise, J. A., Johnson, E., Poe, B., Kruse, D. H., Korol, O., Johnson, J. E., Womble, M., & DeSaix, P. (2022). Anatomical Terminology - Anatomy and Physiology 2E | OpenStax. Retrieved from https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/1-6-anatomical-terminology
  • Rollins, J. H., & Curtis, T. (2025). Merrill’s Atlas of Radiographic Positioning and Procedures - Volume 1. Elsevier.