Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

Course Overview

This chapter introduces the foundational concepts of human anatomy and physiology, focusing on the organization of the human body, its major organ systems, and essential terminology for describing anatomical structures and positions.

Objectives of Study

• Define anatomy and physiology and describe their subdisciplines.

• Use word roots to aid in understanding anatomical terminology.

• Identify levels of structural organization and explain their interrelationships.

• List organ systems and briefly state their functions.

• Use metric units to quantify anatomical dimensions.

• Define anatomical position and use anatomical terminology for directions and regions.

• Describe basic shared human structures and locate major body cavities and their subdivisions.

• Name abdominal quadrants and identify major viscera within each quadrant.

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

Definitions

• Anatomy: The study of structure of the body and its parts.

• Physiology: The study of function of body parts and systems.

Subdisciplines of Anatomy

• Gross/Macroscopic Anatomy: Study of structures visible to the naked eye.

  • Regional Anatomy: Focuses on specific areas (e.g., head, chest).

  • Systemic Anatomy: Studies body systems (e.g., cardiovascular system).

• Surface Anatomy: Study of external features and landmarks.

• Microscopic Anatomy: Study of structures too small to be seen without magnification.

  • Cytology: Study of cells.

  • Histology: Study of tissues.

Other Branches of Anatomy

• Developmental Anatomy: Study of structural changes throughout life.

• Embryology: Study of development before birth.

• Pathological Anatomy (Pathology): Study of structural changes caused by disease.

• Radiographic Anatomy: Study of anatomy using imaging techniques.

• Functional Morphology: Study of functional properties of body structures.

Hierarchy of Structural Organization

The human body is organized into a hierarchy of structural levels, each building upon the previous.

• Chemical Level: Atoms combine to form molecules.

• Cellular Level: Cells and their functional subunits.

• Tissue Level: Groups of cells performing a common function.

• Organ Level: Discrete structures made up of more than one tissue type.

• Organ System Level: Organs working together for a common purpose.

• Organismal Level: The result of all simpler levels working in unison to sustain life.

Example:

• Muscle cell (cellular level) → Muscle tissue (tissue level) → Biceps brachii (organ level) → Muscular system (organ system level) → Human body (organismal level)

*Additional info: The hierarchy is essential for understanding how dysfunction at one level can affect the entire organism.*