Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology

Key Concepts

Human Body Complexity:
- Movements and daily functions result from intricate systems working together.
- Example: Stretching intestines would span the height of a 3-story building.
- fun fact: By old age, enough saliva produced to fill over one swimming pool.
Disciplines of Study:
- Anatomy: Study of structure and relationships between body parts.
- Physiology: Science of how body parts function and keep the body alive.

Galen: Conducted vivisections on pigs.
Da Vinci: Created anatomical drawings from dead bodies; halted by papal order.
17th & 18th Centuries: Certified anatomists could perform regulated dissections.
1832 Anatomy Act: Provided bodies of executed murderers for study.

Form Reflects Function:
- Example: Blood flows in one direction in the heart due to valve structure.
- Structural properties of bones provide support and protection.
- Known as the complementarity of structure and function.
Hierarchy of Organization:
- Atoms: Basic building blocks.
- Cells: Smallest units of living things; e.g., red blood cells, motor neurons.
- Tissues: Groups of similar cells; e.g., muscles, membranes.
- Organs: Two or more tissue types forming to perform specific functions.
- Organ Systems: Organs working together; e.g., digestive system.
- Organisms: Complete individuals made from trillions of cells.
Homeostasis:
- Maintaining stable internal conditions despite external changes.
- Essential for survival; imbalance leads to death.
- Examples: Blood pressure, temperature regulation, waste movement.

Plane Divisions:
- Sagittal plane: Divides body left and right.
- Frontal (coronal) plane: Divides body into front and back.
- Transverse (horizontal) plane: Divides body into top and bottom.
Directional Terms:
- Axial parts: Head, neck, trunk.
- Appendicular parts: Limbs.
- Anterior (ventral): Front of body.
- Posterior (dorsal): Back of body.
- Superior (cranial): Towards the head.
- Inferior (caudal): Lower body.
- Medial: Towards the midline.
- Lateral: Away from the midline.
- Proximal: Closer to the trunk.
- Distal: Farther from trunk.

Use of anatomical terms to communicate precise locations in medical contexts.
- Example: Describing location of swallowed toothpick using anatomical language.

Anatomy studies body parts' structure; physiology studies their function.
Core principles include complementarity of form and function, and homeostasis.
Hierarchical organization from atoms to whole organisms.
Learning directional terms crucial for precise medical communication.
Course goal: Comprehensive understanding of body mechanics and more than the sum of individual parts.

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