Anatomy and Physiology: Chapter 1 Introduction

Key Concepts

• Anatomy: Study of the structure of organisms, focusing on the relationships between internal and external structures.
• Physiology: Study of the function of organisms, focusing on how structures perform their functions.
• Interconnection: Anatomy and physiology are closely linked, as structure (anatomy) brings about function (physiology).

Importance of Terminology

• A&P involves learning a new language; it's rich in terminology.
• Understanding Greek and Latin roots helps in deciphering medical terms.

Characteristics of Living Things

• Responsiveness: Change in response to the environment.
• Movement: Internal or external (e.g., muscle contraction, circulation).
• Adaptability: Ability to change according to external conditions.
• Growth and Reproduction: Continuous cell growth and division.
• Respiration: Utilization of oxygen to produce energy.
• Circulation: Movement of substances like blood and lymph throughout the body.
• Digestion: Breakdown of large molecules into usable forms.
• Excretion: Removal of waste products from the body.

Levels of Organization

1. Chemical Level: Basic building blocks like atoms and molecules.
2. Cell Level: The smallest unit of life, with unique anatomy and physiology.
3. Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells performing a specific function.
4. Organ Level: Structures composed of two or more tissue types.
5. Organ Systems: Groups of organs working together to perform complex functions.
6. Organism Level: The human body as a whole entity.

Types of Tissues

• Epithelial: Lines surfaces and forms glands.
• Connective: Supports, connects, and protects other tissues.
• Muscle: Specialized for contraction, enabling movement.
• Nervous: Conducts electrical impulses; command and control system.

Homeostasis

• Maintenance of a stable internal environment.
• Negative Feedback: Mechanisms that reverse a change back to the normal state (e.g., regulation of body temperature).
• Positive Feedback: Mechanisms that enhance or amplify changes (e.g., blood clotting, childbirth).

Anatomical Terminology

• Anatomical Position: Standardized stance (standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides with palms forward).
• Directional Terms:
  • Anterior (front) vs Posterior (back)
  • Cranial (toward the head) vs Caudal (toward the tail)
  • Ventral (toward the belly) vs Dorsal (toward the back)
  • Medial (toward the midline) vs Lateral (away from the midline)
  • Proximal (closer to the body) vs Distal (further from the body)

Planes of the Body

• Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides body into front and back.
• Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right.
• Transverse (Horizontal) Plane: Divides body into top and bottom.

Word Roots

• Greek and Latin roots form the basis of medical terminology.
• Understanding word roots can aid in understanding complex terms (e.g., 'gastro' = stomach, 'cyto' = cell).

Note: These notes outline the foundational concepts and terminology essential for understanding anatomy and physiology, setting the stage for more detailed study in subsequent chapters.