Overview of Anatomy and Physiology Concepts

Oct 10, 2024

Anatomy and Physiology Chapter 1: Orientation

Introduction

  • Importance: Essential knowledge for TEAS exam, nursing programs, and career.
  • Definition:
    • Anatomy: Study of human body structure (location of things).
    • Physiology: Study of human body function (how structures work).
  • Relationship: Structure dictates function.

Types of Anatomy

  • Systemic Anatomy: Studies organ systems.
  • Regional Anatomy: Studies regions of the body.
  • Surface Anatomy: Studies surface markings.
  • Gross Anatomy: Structures visible to the naked eye (e.g., heart's left ventricle).
  • Microscopic Anatomy:
    • Histology: Study of tissues.
    • Cytology: Study of cells.

Types of Physiology

  • Neurophysiology: Brain and nervous system.
  • Cardiovascular Physiology: Heart and blood vessels.

Characteristics of Living Organisms

  1. Composed of one or more cells.
  2. Ability to metabolize (anabolic vs catabolic processes).
  3. Ability to excrete waste.
  4. Growth (cell size or number).
  5. Response to stimuli.
  6. Movement (internal or external).
  7. Reproduction (mitosis and meiosis).

Levels of Structural Organization

  1. Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules.
  2. Cellular Level: Formation of cells.
  3. Tissue Level: Combination of cells.
  4. Organ Level: Formation of organs.
  5. Organ System Level: Organs working together.
  6. Organism Level: Fully functioning individual.

Anatomical Position

  • Standard frame of reference in science and medicine.
  • Body standing upright, palms facing forward.

Directional Terms

  • Anterior (front) vs Posterior (back).
  • Superior (toward head) vs Inferior (away from head).
  • Proximal (closer to origin) vs Distal (farther from origin).
  • Medial (toward midline) vs Lateral (away from midline).
  • Superficial (closer to surface) vs Deep (farther from surface).

Body Regions

  • Axial Region: Head, neck, trunk.
  • Appendicular Region: Upper and lower limbs.

Planes of Section

  • Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right sections.
    • Midsagittal: Equal left and right parts.
    • Parasagittal: Unequal sections.
  • Transverse Plane: Divides superior and inferior parts.
  • Frontal Plane: Divides anterior and posterior sections.
  • Oblique Plane: Angled division.

Body Cavities

  • Dorsal Cavity: Cranial and spinal cavities.
  • Ventral Cavity: Thoracic and abdominal-pelvic cavities.
  • Subdivisions:
    • Thoracic: Pleural, mediastinum, pericardial.
    • Abdominal-Pelvic: Abdominal and pelvic.

Abdominal-Pelvic Regions and Quadrants

  • Four Quadrant System: Right/left upper and lower quadrants.
  • Nine Region System: Hypochondriac, epigastric, lumbar, umbilical, iliac, hypogastric.

Serous Membranes

  • Enclose organs and provide lubrication.
  • Pleural, Pericardial, and Peritoneal membranes with visceral and parietal layers.

Medical Imaging

  • X-rays: Ionized radiation views of internal structures.
  • CT Scans: Transverse views using ionized radiation.
  • MRI: Imaging using magnetic radiation.

Homeostasis

  • Maintenance of internal environment.
  • Feedback Loops:
    • Negative Feedback: Reduces change to maintain equilibrium.
    • Positive Feedback: Increases change for rapid events (e.g., childbirth).

Structure and Function Principle

  • Structure dictates function (e.g., thin lung tissue for gas exchange).

Gradients

  • Temperature, concentration, and pressure gradients drive biological processes.

Cell Communication

  • Cells communicate via chemical and electrical signals to maintain homeostasis.