language of anatomy

• Anatomy


  The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another
• Gross or macroscopic anatomy


  The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another without the need for magnification
• Microscopic anatomy


  The study of the internal structures of individual cells and tissues
• Developmental anatomy


  The study of structural changes throughout life, including embryology
• Physiology


  The study of the function of the body's structural machinery
• Gross anatomy


  • Regional - focuses on specific areas of the body
  • Systemic - studies the body by organ systems
  • Surface - study of external form and features
• Microscopic anatomy


  • Cytology - analysis of cell internal structures
  • Histology - examination and study of tissues
• Developmental anatomy


  • Embryology - study of developmental changes before birth
• Specialized branches of anatomy

  • Pathological anatomy - study of structural changes caused by disease
  • Radiographic anatomy - study of internal structures using X-rays
  • Molecular biology - study of sub-cellular anatomical structures
• Principle of complementarity


  Function always reflects structure, what a structure can do depends on its specific form
• Levels of structural organization

  • Chemical - atoms combine to form molecules
  • Cellular - cells are made up of molecules
  • Tissue - tissues consist of similar types of cells
  • Organ - organs are made up of different types of tissues
  • Organ system - organ systems consist of different organs working closely together
  • Organismal - the human organism is made up of many organ systems
• The integumentary system


  • Forms external body covering, protects deeper tissues, synthesizes vitamin D, site of cutaneous receptors and glands
• The skeletal system


  • Protects and supports body organs, provides a framework for muscles, blood cells formed within bones, stores minerals

  
• The muscular system


  • Allows manipulation of environment, locomotion, facial expression, maintains posture, produces heat
• The nervous system


  • Fast-acting control system, responds to internal and external changes
• The endocrine system


  • Glands secrete hormones that regulate growth, reproduction, nutrient use
• The cardiovascular system


  • Blood vessels transport blood, carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and wastes, heart pumps blood
• The lymphatic system


  • Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels, disposes of debris, houses white blood cells, mounts attack against foreign substances
• The respiratory system


  • Keeps blood supplied with oxygen, removes carbon dioxide, gas exchange occurs in the lungs
• The digestive system


  • Breaks down food into absorbable units, eliminates indigestible foodstuffs as feces
• The urinary system


  • Eliminates nitrogenous wastes, regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance
• The reproductive system


  • Produces offspring, testes produce sperm and male hormones, ovaries produce eggs and female hormones, mammary glands produce milk
• Anatomical position


  Body erect, feet slightly apart, palms facing forward, thumbs pointing away from body - a universally accepted standard position used by anatomists or doctors to refer to specific areas of the body
• Directional terms


  • Superior and inferior - toward and away from the head
  • Anterior and posterior - toward the front and back
  • Medial, lateral, and intermediate - toward, away from, and between the midline
  • Proximal and distal - closer to and farther from the origin of the body
  • Superficial and deep - toward and away from the body surface
• Regional terms


  • Axial - head, neck, and trunk
  • Appendicular - appendages or limbs
• Body planes


  • Sagittal - divides right and left
  • Midsagittal - divides into equal halves
  • Parasagittal - divides into unequal right and left halves
  • Frontal or coronal - divides anterior and posterior
  • Transverse or horizontal - divides superior and inferior
  • Oblique - diagonal cuts
• Body cavities


  • Dorsal cavity - protects nervous system
  • Ventral cavity - houses internal organs, divided into thoracic and abdominopelvic
• Ventral body cavity membranes

  • Parietal serosa lines internal walls, visceral serosa covers organs, serous fluid separates them
• Other body cavities


  • Oral and digestive
  • Nasal
  • Orbital
  • Middle ear
  • Synovial
• Abdominopelvic quadrants


  • Right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower - provides references for describing aches, pain and injury