Chapter 1 notes

• Anatomy


  Investigates body structure
• Physiology


  Investigates the processes and functions
• Human Physiology


  Studies the human organism
• Systemic Physiology


  Studies body-organ systems
• Cellular Physiology


  Studies body cells
• Importance of Anatomy & Physiology

  • Responds to stimuli; environmental changes; environmental cues; disease & injury
• Systemic Anatomy


  Studies body organ-systems
• Surface Anatomy


  Studies external features, for example, bone projections
• Regional Anatomy


  Studies body regions (medical school for cadaver)
• Anatomical Imaging


  Using technologies (X-rays, ultrasound, and MRI)
• Structural and Functional Organization Levels

  • Chemical
  • Cellular
  • Tissues
  • Organs
  • Organ-System
  • Organism
• Tissue Level


  Group of cells with similar structure and function plus extracellular substances they release, four broad types: epithelial, connective, muscular, and nervous
• Organ Level


  Two or more tissue types acting together to perform function(s), examples: stomach, heart, liver, ovary, bladder, kidney
• Organ-System Level


  Group of organs contributing to some function, examples: digestive system, reproductive system
• Organ Systems of the Body

  • Integumentary System
  • Skeletal System
  • Muscular System
  • Nervous System
  • Endocrine System
  • Cardiovascular System
  • Lymphatic System
  • Respiratory System
  • Digestive System
  • Urinary System
  • Female Reproductive System
  • Male Reproductive System
• Integumentary System


  Provides protection, regulates temperature, prevents water loss, and helps produce vitamin D. Consists of the nails, hair, skin, sebaceous glands and sweat glands
• Muscular System


  Produces body movements, maintains posture, and produces body heat. Consists of muscles attached to the skeleton by tendons
• Endocrine System


  A major regulatory system that influences metabolism, growth, reproduction, and other functions. Consists of the endocrine glands such as the pituitary gland that secrete hormones
• Cardiovascular System


  Transports nutrients, waste products, gases and hormones throughout the body; plays a role in the immune response and the regulation of body temperature. Consists of the heart, blood, and blood vessels
• Lymphatic System


  Removes foreign substances from the blood and lymph, combats disease, maintains tissue fluid balance, and absorbs dietary fats from the digestive tract. Consists of the lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, & other lymphatic organs
• Respiratory System


  Exchanges oxygen and carbon dioxide between the blood and air and regulates blood pH. Consists of the lungs and respiratory passages
• Digestive System


  Performs the mechanical and chemical processes of digestion, absorption of nutrients, and elimination of wastes. Consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines and other accessory organs
• Urinary System


  Removes waste products from the blood and regulates blood pH, ion balance, and water balance. Consists of the kidneys, urinary bladder, and ureters
• Homeostasis


  Maintenance of a constant environment despite fluctuations in the external or internal environment
• Variables


  Measures of body properties that may change in value, e.g. heart rate, blood pressure, blood glucose level
• Normal Range


  A normal extent of increase or decrease around a set point
• Set Point


  Normal or average value of a variable over time, body temperature fluctuates around a set point
• Set points for some variables can be temporarily adjusted depending on body activities, as needed
• Common causes of change

  • Fever
  • Exercise
• Negative Feedback


  The mechanism used for homeostatic regulation, involves detection of deviation away from set point and correction to reverse the deviation towards set point and normal range
• Positive Feedback


  Mechanisms occur when the initial stimulus further stimulates the response, causing progressive deviation away from the set point, outside of normal range. Not directly used for homeostasis
• Variables


  Measures of body properties that may change in value
• Set Point


  Normal or average value of a variable over time, body temperature fluctuates around the set point
• Positive Feedback


  Mechanisms where the initial stimulus further stimulates the response, causing progressive deviation away from set point and outside of normal range, generally associated with injury or disease, unable to maintain homeostasis
• Components of Feedback


  • Receptor
  • Control Center
  • Effector
• Anatomical Position is a person standing erect with face and palms forward, all descriptions based on this position regardless of body orientation
• Directional Terms


  • Superior: above
  • Inferior: below
  • Anterior: front (also: ventral)
  • Posterior: back (also: dorsal)
  • Medial: close to midline
  • Lateral: away from midline
  • Proximal: close to point of attachment
  • Superficial: structure close to the surface
• Body Planes


  • Sagittal Plane
  • Median Plane
  • Transverse Plane
  • Frontal Plane
• Body Parts & Regions

  • Upper Limbs
  • Lower Limbs
  • Central Region
• Subdivisions of the Abdomen

  • Thoracic Cavity
  • Mediastinum
  • Abdominal Cavity
  • Pelvic Cavity