Overview
This lecture introduces the study of anatomy (body structure) and physiology (body function), emphasizing their major concepts, organization levels, unifying principles, and essential anatomical terminology.
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
- Anatomy studies the structure and relationships between body parts.
- Physiology examines how body parts function together to keep the body alive.
- Both disciplines help explain key life processes like eating, breathing, and even thinking.
- The study of anatomy has a complex history, including the use of cadavers for medical education.
Major Themes and Principles
- The complementarity of structure and function: what a body part can do depends on its specific form.
- Anatomical knowledge has been gained by studying both living and dead bodies.
Levels of Organization in the Body
- Atoms are the smallest units forming molecules.
- Cells are the basic living units, varying in size and shape depending on function.
- Similar cells form tissues (muscle, nervous, connective, membrane).
- Different tissues combine to form organs (heart, liver, lungs).
- Organs work together as organ systems (digestive, circulatory, etc.).
- The complete organism results from all these organized systems working together.
Homeostasis: Maintaining Internal Balance
- Homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain stable internal conditions despite external changes.
- Examples include regulating blood pressure, body temperature, and nutrient balance.
- Death results from the severe loss of homeostasis, disrupting essential body functions.
Anatomical Terms & Orientation
- The anatomical position: body standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.
- Sagittal plane divides the body into left and right; parasagittal is parallel but off-center.
- Coronal (frontal) plane splits body into front (anterior) and back (posterior).
- Transverse (horizontal) plane separates body into top (superior) and bottom (inferior).
- Axial parts are the head, neck, and trunk; appendicular parts are arms and legs.
- Anterior (ventral) means front; posterior (dorsal) means back.
- Superior (cranial) means above; inferior (caudal) means below.
- Medial is toward the body's midline; lateral is away from the midline.
- Proximal means closer to the trunk; distal means farther from the trunk (used for limbs).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Anatomy — study of the structure and relationships of body parts.
- Physiology — science of body part functions and how they work together.
- Complementarity of structure and function — principle that a part's form dictates its function.
- Homeostasis — ability to maintain stable internal environment.
- Anatomical position — standard body posture for anatomical reference.
- Sagittal plane — vertical division into left and right.
- Coronal plane — vertical division into front and back.
- Transverse plane — horizontal division into top and bottom.
- Axial — parts aligned with the body's center.
- Appendicular — limbs attached to the body's axis.
- Anterior/Posterior — front/back.
- Superior/Inferior — above/below.
- Medial/Lateral — toward/away from midline.
- Proximal/Distal — closer to/farther from trunk.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize the main directional anatomical terms.
- Prepare for the next lesson by refreshing basic chemistry knowledge as it relates to physiology.