Anatomy Midterm Notes

Chapter 1: Intro to the Human Body

• Anatomy is the study of structures and the relationship among them
▪ Dissection is a way to study anatomy- cut apart to see
▪ Physiology deals with functions of the body and the relationships between
body parts (how they work)

• Anatomy is related to physiology
▪ Ex. Tight connections between bones of the skull protect the brain

Branches of Anatomy:
• Embryology- first 8 weeks of development
• Developmental Biology- growth from fertilization till death
• Cell Biology- cellular structures and functions
• Histology- microscopic structure of the tissue
• Sectional Anatomy- internal structures and the relationships through use of
sections
• Systemic Anatomy- structures of specific systems ex. Nervous
• Regional Anatomy- specific regions of the body ex. Chest
• Surface Anatomy- surface markings to understand deep or internal anatomy
• Imaging Anatomy- internal structures visualized with x-rays, CT scans, MRI, etc.
• Pathological Anatomy- changes associated with the disease (gross → microscopic)

Levels of Body Organization:
1) Chemical Level: consists of atoms (smallest units of matter) and molecules
(2 or more atoms joined)
2) Cellular Level: molecules combine to form cells
3) Tissue Level: made up of tissues which are groups of cells and materials that
work together to perform a particular function
4) Organ Level: different types of tissue are joined together, organs are
structures composed of 2 or more different types of tissue and have a specific
function and shape
5) System Level: consists of related organs with a common function; there are
11 systems
6) Organismal Level: all the parts of the human body functioning together


Human Body Systems:
Integumentary System:
• Components:
o Skin and associated structures
o Hair
o Fingernails
o Toenails

, o Sweat and oil glands
o Subcutaneous layer
• Functions:
o Protects body
o Regulate body temperature
o Detects sensation
o Stores fat / provide insulation
o Eliminates some waste and helps produce vitamin D

Skeletal System:
• Components:
o Bones
o Joints
o Cartilages
• Functions:
o Supports and protects body
o Maintain posture and aids body movement

Muscular System:
• Components:
o Skeletal muscle tissue (muscle attached to bone)
o Other muscle tissue is smooth and cardiac
• Functions:
o Participates in body movements
o Maintains posture and produces heat

Cardiovascular System:
• Components:
o Blood
o Blood vessels
o Heart
• Functions:
o Heart pumps blood through vessels
o Carries nutrients and oxygen to cells

Lymphatic System:
• Components
o Lymphatic fluid
o Lymphatic vessels
o Spleen
o Thymus
o Lymph nodes
o Tonsils
o B cells, t cells, and other (carry out immune responses)
• Functions:

, o Return protein and fluids to blood
o Site of maturation and proliferation of B cells and T cells (protect
against pathogens)

Nervous System:
• Components:
o Brain
o Spinal cord
o Nerves
o Special sense organs (eyes and ears)
• Functions:
o Generates action potentials (nerve impulses) to regulate body
activities
o Detects internal/external changes, interprets, and responds by
muscular contractions or glandular secretions

Endocrine System:
• Components:
o Hormone producing glands
o Hormone producing cells
• Functions:
o Regulates body activities by releasing hormones
o Chemical messengers transported by blood to target organ

Respiratory System:
• Components:
o Lungs
o Pharynx (throat), larynx (voice box), trachea (windpipe), and
bronchial tubes
• Functions:
o Gas exchange (carbon dioxide and oxygen)

Digestive System:
• Components:
o Mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine,
and anus
• Functions:
o Physical and chemical breakdown of food
o Absorbs nutrients from food
o Eliminates solid waste

Urinary System:
• Components:
o Kidneys
o Ureters

, o Urinary bladder
o Urethra
• Functions:
o Produce, store and eliminate urine
o Gets rid of toxins

Reproductive System:
• Components:
o Gonads (testes and ovaries)
o Associated organs (uterine/fallopian tubes, uterus, vagina,
epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate, ductus deferens, penis)
• Functions:
o Produce new humans (gonads produce gametes)
o Gonads release hormones that regulate reproduction and other
processes

Anatomical Positions:
• Standard position of reference for the description of anatomical structures:
o Stand erect facing observer
o Head level and eyes facing directly forward
o Lower limbs parallel and feet flat on floor
o Upper limbs to side, palms facing forward

• Body is upright in anatomical position
o Prone position= body lying face down
o Supine position= body lying face up

Planes and Sections:
• Frontal/Coronal Plane- divides the body/organ into the front and back
portions
• Sagittal Plane- vertical plane that divides body/organ into the right and left
sides
o Midsagittal Plane- passes through the midline of body and divides into
equal right and left sides
o Parasagittal Plane- does not pass through midline and creates unequal
right and left sides
• Traverse Plane- divides body/organ into upper and lower portions; is also
called cross-sectional or horizontal plane
• Oblique Plane- passes through body/organ at oblique angle; any angle other
than 90 degrees