Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology: Chapter 1

Overview

• Anatomy: Study of body structure.
• Physiology: Study of body function.
• Interrelated sciences focusing on how body parts are structured and function.
• Science involves the scientific method: observation, hypothesis, experiment, and conclusion.

Levels of Organization

1. Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules.
2. Cellular Level: Organelles and cells.
3. Tissues: Groups of similar cells.
4. Organs: Structures like heart, brain.
5. Organ Systems: Groups of organs with a common purpose.
6. Human Organism: Composed of 11 main organ systems.

Human Body Organ Systems

1. Integumentary System

   • Components: Skin, hair, nails, glands.
   • Functions: Protects body, regulates temperature, sensory reception.

2. Skeletal System

   • Components: Bones, cartilage, ligaments, joints.
   • Functions: Supports, protects, stores calcium, produces blood cells.

3. Muscular System

   • Components: Skeletal, cardiac, smooth muscles.
   • Functions: Movement, posture, pumps blood.

4. Nervous System

   • Components: Brain, spinal cord, nerves, sensory organs.
   • Functions: Regulatory system, receives and responds to stimuli.

5. Endocrine System

   • Components: Glands such as pituitary, adrenal, thyroid.
   • Functions: Hormone production, regulates metabolism.

6. Cardiovascular System

   • Components: Heart, blood vessels.
   • Functions: Circulates blood, nutrients, gases.

7. Lymphatic/Immune System

   • Components: Lymph, vessels, nodes, spleen.
   • Functions: Defends against disease, fluid balance.

8. Respiratory System

   • Components: Lungs, trachea.
   • Functions: Gas exchange, regulates pH.

9. Digestive System

   • Components: Mouth, stomach, intestines.
   • Functions: Digestion, nutrient absorption.

10. Urinary System

    • Components: Kidneys, bladder.
    • Functions: Waste excretion, blood composition.

11. Reproductive System

    • Components: Gonads, reproductive organs.
    • Functions: Reproduction, secondary sexual characteristics.

Human Body Composition

• Inorganic Compounds: Simple compounds (e.g., water, salts).
• Organic Compounds: Complex carbon compounds (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids).
• Ions: Charged particles in body fluids.
• pH Scale: Measures acidity/alkalinity.

Metabolism

• Metabolism: All chemical reactions in the body.
• Anabolism: Building up of compounds.
• Catabolism: Breaking down of compounds.
• ATP: Energy currency of the cell.

Homeostasis and Feedback Mechanisms

• Homeostasis: Maintaining a stable internal environment.
• Negative Feedback: Reduces deviation from a set point (e.g., temperature regulation).
• Positive Feedback: Amplifies a stimulus (e.g., childbirth).

Anatomical Position and Directional Terms

• Body is erect, eyes forward, arms at sides.
• Superior/Inferior: Above/Below.
• Anterior/Posterior: Front/Back.
• Medial/Lateral: Toward/Away from midline.
• Proximal/Distal: Closer/Farther from point of reference.
• Superficial/Deep: Near/Far from body surface.

Planes and Regions

• Sagittal Plane: Divides body into left/right.
• Coronal Plane: Divides body into anterior/posterior.
• Transverse Plane: Divides body into superior/inferior.
• Axial Region: Head, neck, trunk.
• Appendicular Region: Limbs.

Body Cavities

• Dorsal Cavity: Cranial and spinal cavities.
• Ventral Cavity: Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

Abdominal Quadrants and Regions

• Four quadrants: Right/Left Upper, Right/Left Lower.
• Nine regions: Hypochondriac, lumbar, inguinal, epigastric, umbilical, hypogastric.

Anatomical Regional Terminology

• Terms used to describe locations on the body.
• Examples: Antibrachial (forearm), Axillary (armpit), Femoral (thigh), Occipital (back of head).

These notes summarize the key points from the lecture on anatomy and physiology, providing a foundational understanding of human body systems, composition, and terminology.