Lecture Notes: Chapter 6 - The Human Body

Introduction

• Focus on anatomy and physiology from "Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 12th Edition."
• Key learning outcomes:
  • Understand body planes, topographic anatomy, and anatomical position.
  • Identify basic anatomical structures, functions, and interactions of body systems.
  • Discuss consequences of illness or injury on body systems.

Key Terminology

• Anatomy: Study of body structure.
• Physiology: Study of body functions.
• Pathophysiology: Study of functional changes in the body due to disease or syndrome.

Body Planes and Position

• Anatomical Position: Body facing forward, arms at side, palms forward.
• Body Planes:
  • Coronal (Frontal): Divides body into front and back.
  • Sagittal (Lateral): Divides body into left and right.
  • Mid-Sagittal (Midline): Equal left and right halves.
  • Transverse (Axial): Divides body into top and bottom.

From Cells to Systems

• Cells → Tissues → Organs → Body Systems

Skeletal System

• Function: Provides form, protects organs.
• Composed of 206 bones:
  • Axial Skeleton: Skull, vertebral column, thoracic cage.
  • Appendicular Skeleton: Limbs and girdles.
• Components:
  • Joints: Bone connections.
  • Ligaments: Connect bone to bone.
  • Cartilage: Cushions bone ends.
  • Tendons: Connect muscle to bone.

Types of Joints

• Ball and Socket: Allows rotation (e.g., shoulder, hip).
• Hinge: Allows bending and straightening (e.g., elbow, knee).

Musculoskeletal System

• Muscle Types:
  • Skeletal Muscle: Voluntary, attached to bones.
  • Smooth Muscle: Involuntary, in organs.
  • Cardiac Muscle: Heart muscle.

Respiratory System

• Function: Breathing, oxygen, and carbon dioxide exchange.
• Upper Respiratory Tract: Nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx.
• Lower Respiratory Tract: Trachea, bronchi, lungs.
• Mechanics:
  • Inhalation: Diaphragm contracts.
  • Exhalation: Diaphragm relaxes.

Circulatory System

• Function: Transports blood and nutrients.
• Components:
  • Heart: Pumps blood.
  • Blood Vessels: Arteries, veins, capillaries.
  • Blood: Red/white cells, plasma, platelets.

Nervous System

• Central Nervous System (CNS): Brain and spinal cord.
• Peripheral Nervous System: Somatic and autonomic systems.
• Brain Parts:
  • Cerebrum: Largest part, higher functions.
  • Cerebellum: Coordinates movement.
  • Brain Stem: Controls vital functions.

Integumentary System

• Function: Protects, regulates temperature, sensory.
• Layers: Epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous.

Digestive System

• Function: Digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Major Organs: Mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver.

Lymphatic System

• Function: Immune support, fluid balance.
• Components: Lymph nodes, vessels, spleen.

Endocrine System

• Function: Hormone production and regulation.
• Glands: Pituitary, thyroid, adrenal, etc.

Urinary System

• Function: Waste elimination, fluid balance.
• Organs: Kidneys, ureters, bladder.

Reproductive System

• Function: Reproduction.
• Organs:
  • Male: Testes, prostate, penis.
  • Female: Ovaries, uterus, vagina.

Life Support Chain

• Oxygen and Nutrient Delivery: Essential for cell survival.
• Metabolism:
  • Aerobic: Uses oxygen.
  • Anaerobic: Without oxygen, produces lactic acid.

Pathophysiology

• Respiratory Compromise: Affects oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
• Shock: Inadequate blood supply, cell damage.

Review Questions

• Retroperitoneal Space Contains: Kidneys.
• Xiphoid Process: Cartilaginous tip of sternum.
• Bilateral Femur Fracture: Both femurs.
• Thyroid Cartilage: Prominent neck landmark.
• Insulin Production: Pancreas.
• Tendons vs. Ligaments: Tendons attach muscle to bone.
• Normal Heart Rate: 60-100 beats per minute.
• Left Atrium: Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs.
• Largest Brain Part: Cerebrum.
• Red Blood Cells Misconception: They do not fight infection (that's white blood cells' role).

These notes provide a comprehensive review of the key points discussed in the lecture on human anatomy and physiology.