Lecture Notes: Anatomy and Physiology

Introduction to the Human Body

• Observe physical actions like moving your hand, breathing, and sniffing.
• The complexity of bodily functions derives from various systems working in harmony.
• Humans have intricate and unique biological features.
  • Example Facts:
    • Intestines stretched out could reach the height of a three-story building.
    • An elderly person produces enough saliva to fill multiple swimming pools.
    • Humans shed significant weight in dead skin cells over a lifetime.

Disciplines of Study

• Anatomy: Studies the structure and relationships between body parts.
• Physiology: Examines how body parts function and sustain life.
• Importance lies in understanding life, health, disease, recovery, and fundamental processes like death, sex, eating, sleeping, and thinking.

History of Anatomy

• Historical context:
  • Dissection was once taboo and performed in secret.
  • Galen (Greek physician) used animal dissections.
  • Da Vinci’s anatomical drawings were halted by the Pope.
  • Human dissections became regulated in the 17th-18th centuries and even became public events.
  • Anatomy Act of 1832 in Britain facilitated legal dissection using corpses of executed individuals.

Scientific Concepts

• Complementarity of Structure and Function: Form dictates function.
  • Example: Heart valves prevent backward blood flow; bones provide protection and support.
• Body Organization Levels:
  • Atoms → Cells → Tissues → Organs → Organ Systems → Organism
  • Homeostasis: Maintaining stable internal conditions for survival.

Directional Terms in Anatomy

• Anatomical Position: Standard body position for reference.
• Planes of the Body:
  • Sagittal: Divides left and right.
  • Parasagittal: Parallel to sagittal but off-center.
  • Coronal (Frontal): Divides front and back.
  • Transverse (Horizontal): Divides top and bottom.
• Directional Terms:
  • Anterior (Ventral) vs. Posterior (Dorsal)
  • Superior (Cranial) vs. Inferior (Caudal)
  • Medial vs. Lateral
  • Proximal vs. Distal
• Example: Describing the location of an object in the body using these terms.

Summary

• Anatomy focuses on the structure; physiology focuses on the function.
• Key principles discussed:
  • Complementarity of structure and function.
  • Hierarchical organization from atomic to organism level.
  • Importance of homeostasis.
• Introduction to anatomical directional terms and their practical application.

Credits

• Written by Kathleen Yale
• Edited by Blake DePestino
• Consultant: Dr. Brandon Jackson
• Directed and edited by Nicholas Jenkins
• Script supervisor: Valerie Barr
• Sound design: Michael Aranda
• Graphics: Thought Cafe