Anatomy and Physiology

• Anatomy


  The scientific discipline that investigates the body's structures—for example, the shape and size of bones
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  Understanding the relationship between structure and function makes it easier to understand and appreciate anatomy
• Levels of anatomy


  • Developmental anatomy
  • Embryology
  • Cytology
  • Histology
  • Surface anatomy
  • Gross anatomy
• Developmental anatomy


  Studies the structural changes that occur between conception and adulthood
• Embryology


  A subspecialty of developmental anatomy that considers changes from conception to the end of the eighth week of development
• Cytology


  Examines the structural features of cells
• Histology


  Examines tissues, which are composed of cells and the materials surrounding them
• Gross anatomy


  The study of structures that can be examined without the aid of a microscope
• Approaches to gross anatomy

  • Systemic
  • Regional
• Systemic anatomy


  The body is studied system by system
• Regional anatomy


  The body is studied area by area, with all systems studied simultaneously within each region
• Surface anatomy


  Involves looking at the exterior of the body to visualize structures deeper inside the body
• Anatomical imaging


  Uses radiographs (x-rays), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other technologies to create pictures of internal structures
• Anatomical imaging has revolutionized medical science, with as much progress in the past 20 years as occurred in all of medicine's previous history
• Anatomical imaging allows medical personnel to look inside the body with amazing accuracy and without the trauma and risk of exploratory surgery
• Wilhelm Roentgen became the first medical scientist to use x-rays to see inside the body


  1895
• Whenever the human body is exposed to x-rays, ultrasound, electromagnetic fields, or radioactively labeled substances, a potential risk exists, which must be weighed against the medical benefit
• No known risks exist from ultrasound or electromagnetic fields at the levels used for diagnosis
• Anatomical anomalies


  Physical characteristics that differ from the normal pattern, which can vary in severity from relatively harmless to life-threatening
• Physiology


  The scientific investigation of the processes or functions of living things
• Physiology


  • Aims to understand and predict the body's responses to stimuli and how the body maintains conditions within a narrow range of values in a constantly changing environment
• Levels of physiology


  • Cell physiology
  • Systemic physiology
  • Neurophysiology
  • Cardiovascular physiology
• Studies of the human body must encompass both anatomy and physiology because structures, functions, and processes are interwoven
• Pathology


  The medical science dealing with all aspects of disease, with an emphasis on the cause and development of abnormal conditions, as well as the structural and functional changes resulting from disease
• Exercise physiology


  Focuses on the changes in function and structure caused by exercise
• A system is a group of structures that have one or more common functions, such as the cardiovascular, nervous, respiratory, skeletal, or muscular systems
• Surface anatomy involves looking at the exterior of the body to visualize structures deeper inside the body.
• Anatomical imaging uses radiographs (x-rays), ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and other technologies to create pictures of internal structures.
• In 1895, Wilhelm Roentgen (1845–1923) became the first medical scientist to use x-rays to see inside the body. The rays were called x-rays because no one knew what they were.
• Anatomical imaging allows medical personnel to look inside the body with amazing accuracy and without the trauma and risk of exploratory surgery
• no two humans are structurally identical
• Systemic anatomy is the study of the body by systems, such as the cardiovascular, nervous, skeletal, and muscular systems.
• Regional anatomy is the study of the organization of the body by areas.
• Human physiology is the study of humans.
• cellular physiology focuses on processes inside cells such as the manufacturing of substances, including proteins
• systemic physiology focuses on the functions of organ systems.
• Homeostasis is any self-regulating process by which an organism tends to maintain stability while adjusting to conditions that are best for its survival
• Anatomists have two general ways to examine the internal structures of a living person: (1) surface anatomy and (2) anatomical imaging