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Essential Terminology in Anatomy Overview

Oct 2, 2024

Chapter 1: Introduction to Terminology in AMP1 and AMP2

Importance of Chapter 1

  • Focus on essential terminology for AMP1 and AMP2.
  • Emphasis on practice to become comfortable with terms.

Systems Covered

  1. Integumentary System: Includes skin, hair, fingernails, and toenails.
  2. Skeletal System: Comprises bones and joints.
  3. Muscular System: Focus mainly on skeletal muscles.
  4. Nervous System: Consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
    • Noted as the most complex system, requiring detailed study.

Key Term: Homeostasis

  • Defined as the body's effort to maintain internal stability, despite external changes.
  • Example: Body temperature regulation.
    • Cold: Shivering increases heat production.
    • Hot: Sweating helps cool down the body.

Anatomical Position

  • Standard position for anatomical reference.
  • Person stands erect, feet slightly apart, arms at sides, head and palms facing forward.
  • Key for consistent orientation of body parts.

Body Regions

  • Axial Region: Head, neck, chest, and abdomen (trunk).
  • Appendicular Region: Limbs and points of attachment to the trunk (e.g., shoulders, hips).

Directional Terms

  • Superior/Inferior: Above (closer to head) / Below (closer to lower body).
  • Ventral/Dorsal (Anterior/Posterior): Front (belly side) / Back.
  • Medial/Lateral: Closer to midline / Further from midline.
  • Proximal/Distal: Closer to origin of body part / Further from origin.
  • Superficial/Deep: Closer to outer body surface / Further within the body.

Body Planes

  • Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left and right halves.
  • Transverse Plane: Divides body into superior and inferior parts.
  • Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides body into anterior and posterior parts.

Body Cavities

  • Dorsal Cavity: Houses brain and spinal cord.
  • Ventral Cavity: Includes thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
    • Thoracic: Contains mediastinum (top), pericardial (heart), pleural cavities (lungs).
    • Abdominopelvic: Contains abdominal (digestive organs) and pelvic cavity (bladder, reproductive organs).

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

  • Umbilical Region: Center around belly button.
  • Epigastric: Above umbilical.
  • Hypogastric: Below umbilical.
  • Left/Right Quadrants: Hypochondriac (top), Lumbar (middle), Iliac/Inguinal (bottom).

Serous Membranes

  • Parietal Serosa: Lines internal body walls.
  • Visceral Serosa: Covers internal organs, merging with parietal serosa to keep organs in position.

Conclusion

  • Emphasize practice with these terms through assignments.
  • Encourage questions and additional practice.

These notes cover the essential terminology and concepts from Chapter 1, which are crucial for understanding body orientation and function in anatomy and physiology courses.