Unit 1
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology
I. Anatomy & Physiology Defined (Section 1.1)
Definition of anatomy: in Latin it means "to cut apart". It is the study of structure. It
examines the structure of body parts & the relationship between parts . It is a concrete
science because we can see, feel, & manipulate the parts
Definition of physiology: in Latin it means "the word of nature" . It is the study of
function. It examines the function of body parts & how parts work together
II. Subdivisions of Anatomy (Section 1.1)
3 subdivisions of anatomy:
1) Gross anatomy: examines large structures with the
unaided eye. Methods used include dissection, medical
imaging, and exploratory surgery
3 ways to study gross anatomy:
a) Regional: study structures by region. The
structures are physically related because they
are all located in the same region. Example of
a regional study: studying the anatomy of the
abdominal region
b) Systemic: study structures by system. The
structures are functionally related because they
all work to perform the same function. Example
of a systemic study: studying the anatomy of
the digestive system
c) Surface: study internal structures in context of
external markings (images of surface anatomy
can be found in Atlas B of the text); As shown in
figure at the right the surface features on
the leg are caused by internal structures. As
examples, we can observe the vastus lateralis
muscle and the bone known as the patella by
observing the "bumps" formed by each on the
surface of the leg
1
, 2) Microscopic anatomy: examines small structures using a microscope
2 areas of microscopic anatomy:
a) Cytology: the study of cells (we will study cells in Unit 3 of our course)
b) Histology: the study of tissues (we will study tissues in Unit 4 of our course)
3) Developmental anatomy: study of the changes occurring throughout the entire life
of an organism from before birth to death
III. Specialized Branches of Anatomy
Definition of specialized branches: these study a specific system of the body; we won't
focus on the specialized branches right now. As we begin certain units, one of the first
terms you will see in the lecture notes is the name for the specialized branch. Below are
a few examples of specialized branches
Examples:
Histology or pathology: the study of tissues
Neurology: the study of the nervous system
IV. Complementarity of Structure and Function
Text briefly mentions this as the "unity of form and function" on page 2. We are going to
focus on it in more detail than the text because it is a major theme of A&P and it is
heavily emphasized in our course
Definition of principle of complementarity of structure & function:
Before we define this principle, we first need to understand the meaning of the
underlined terms
Webster's dictionary defines each as:
Complementary: combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the
qualities of each other or another; going together well or working well together
Structure: the way that something is built, arranged, or organized
Function: the special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used
Knowing these definitions, we can now explain what is meant by the principle of
complementarity of structure & function: It means the way an object is built (its
2
Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology
I. Anatomy & Physiology Defined (Section 1.1)
Definition of anatomy: in Latin it means "to cut apart". It is the study of structure. It
examines the structure of body parts & the relationship between parts . It is a concrete
science because we can see, feel, & manipulate the parts
Definition of physiology: in Latin it means "the word of nature" . It is the study of
function. It examines the function of body parts & how parts work together
II. Subdivisions of Anatomy (Section 1.1)
3 subdivisions of anatomy:
1) Gross anatomy: examines large structures with the
unaided eye. Methods used include dissection, medical
imaging, and exploratory surgery
3 ways to study gross anatomy:
a) Regional: study structures by region. The
structures are physically related because they
are all located in the same region. Example of
a regional study: studying the anatomy of the
abdominal region
b) Systemic: study structures by system. The
structures are functionally related because they
all work to perform the same function. Example
of a systemic study: studying the anatomy of
the digestive system
c) Surface: study internal structures in context of
external markings (images of surface anatomy
can be found in Atlas B of the text); As shown in
figure at the right the surface features on
the leg are caused by internal structures. As
examples, we can observe the vastus lateralis
muscle and the bone known as the patella by
observing the "bumps" formed by each on the
surface of the leg
1
, 2) Microscopic anatomy: examines small structures using a microscope
2 areas of microscopic anatomy:
a) Cytology: the study of cells (we will study cells in Unit 3 of our course)
b) Histology: the study of tissues (we will study tissues in Unit 4 of our course)
3) Developmental anatomy: study of the changes occurring throughout the entire life
of an organism from before birth to death
III. Specialized Branches of Anatomy
Definition of specialized branches: these study a specific system of the body; we won't
focus on the specialized branches right now. As we begin certain units, one of the first
terms you will see in the lecture notes is the name for the specialized branch. Below are
a few examples of specialized branches
Examples:
Histology or pathology: the study of tissues
Neurology: the study of the nervous system
IV. Complementarity of Structure and Function
Text briefly mentions this as the "unity of form and function" on page 2. We are going to
focus on it in more detail than the text because it is a major theme of A&P and it is
heavily emphasized in our course
Definition of principle of complementarity of structure & function:
Before we define this principle, we first need to understand the meaning of the
underlined terms
Webster's dictionary defines each as:
Complementary: combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the
qualities of each other or another; going together well or working well together
Structure: the way that something is built, arranged, or organized
Function: the special purpose or activity for which a thing exists or is used
Knowing these definitions, we can now explain what is meant by the principle of
complementarity of structure & function: It means the way an object is built (its
2
