Regional Anatomy and Physiology Lecture 1: Terminology

Introduction

• Lecturer: Christy Martin, Unit Convener
• Focus: Terminology in Anatomy and Physiology
• Lecture Format: Structured consistently every week
  • Title page with lecture name and lecturer
  • Learning objectives at the start

Learning Objectives

• Key to understanding what is expected knowledge for other units
• Basis for assessment questions
• Suggestion: Use learning objectives as a checklist for revision

Lecture Content Structure

• Each section linked with specific learning objectives
• Focus on helping students easily locate specific information

Importance of Terminology

• Anatomy and Physiology use terms derived from Greek/Latin
• Knowing term components helps deduce meaning
• Examples:
  • Anterior Superior Iliac Spine: Anterior = front, Superior = top, Ilium = hip bone, Spine = sharp process
  • Pericarditis: Peri = around, Card = heart, Itis = inflammation

Learning Objective 1: Differentiate Anatomy and Physiology

• Anatomy: Study of structure (e.g., structure of blood vessels)
• Physiology: Study of function (e.g., diffusion in blood vessels)

Learning Objective 2: Anatomical Terms

• Body Directions, Regions, and Planes
  • Planes: Sagittal (left/right), Frontal/Coronal (front/back), Transverse (upper/lower)
  • Examples of planes in practice (e.g., viewing brain structures)

Body Directional Terms

• Anterior: Front
• Posterior: Back
• Superior: Higher
• Inferior: Lower
• Proximal: Near point of origin
• Distal: Far from point of origin
• Medial: Towards middle
• Lateral: Away from middle
• Superficial: Close to surface
• Deep: Far from surface
• Prone: Face down
• Supine: Face up
• Anatomical Reference Position: Standardized body position for anatomical terms

Body Regions

• Cranial Cavity: Brain, skull
• Vertebral Canal: Spinal cord
• Thoracic Cavity: Heart, lungs
• Abdominopelvic Cavity: Stomach, liver, intestines, bladder, reproductive organs

Learning Objective 3: Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes

• Root: Main meaning of a word (e.g., "ost" = bone)
• Suffix: End of the word (e.g., "-cyte" = mature cell)
• Prefix: Start of the word (e.g., "hyper" = excessive)
• Combining Form: Often "o" to connect parts (e.g., osteoarthritis)

Common Terms

• Ab: From/away
• Bi: Twice/double
• Exo: Outside of
• Hyper: Excessive
• Hypo: Below normal
• Supra/Infra: Above/Below
• Inter: Between
• Itis: Inflammation
• Myo: Muscle
• Osteo: Bone
• Chondro: Cartilage
• Blast: Immature cell

Learning Objective 4: Common Terms for Bony Landmarks

• Crest: Prominent ridge
• Spinous Process: Sharp projection
• Condyle: Large round protuberance
• Epicondyle: Above a condyle
• Tubercle: Rounded projection
• Tuberosity: Large projection for attachment
• Facet: Smooth, flat surface
• Fissure: Narrow slit
• Foramen: Opening or hole
• Sulcus: Furrow for vessels
• Suture: Immovable junction between bones

Conclusion

• Emphasis on familiarization with terms, not memorization
• Use terms regularly in lectures and labs
• Encourage review and printing of lecture slides for labs
• Contact details for questions: Email or Canvas
• Reminder to utilize lecture slides as resources in labs