Introduction to the Structural Units Course Study Guide

Anatomy and Physiology: Course Study Guide Introduction to the Structural Units Anatomy and Physiology: ● Divided into many branches based on the investigative techniques used, the type of knowledge desired, or the parts of the body under study. ○ Gross Anatomy ■ The study of large and easily observable structures on an organism. ■ It is done through dissection and visible inspection with the naked eye. ■ The different body parts and regions are studied with regard to their general shape, external features, and main divisions. ○ Microscopic Anatomy ■ Refers to the use of microscopes to enable one to see the minute details of organ parts. ■ Ultra wave and electron microscopes provide greater magnification and resolution than optical microscopes. ■ Subdivided into two different regions: ● Cytology ○ The study of the structure, function, and development of cells that comprise the different body parts. ● Histology ○ Studies the tissues and organs that make up the entire body of an organism. ○ Developmental Anatomy ■ Studies the growth and development of an organism during its lifetime. ● In more specific terms, embryology ○ Studies the formation of an organism from fertilized egg to birth ○ Comparative Anatomy ■ The different body parts and organs of humans can be studied with regard to similarities with and differences from others in the animal kingdom. ○ Systematic Anatomy ■ The study of the structure of various organs or parts that comprise a particular organ system. ■ Specific terms in this area: ● Dermatology ○ Study of the integumentary system(skin, hair, and nails). ● Endocrinology ○ Study of the endocrine or hormonal system. ● Neurology ○ Study of the nervous system. Anatomical Terminology: ● In the study of anatomy and physiology, special words are used to describe the specific location of a structure, organ, or the relative position/direction of one body part to another ○ Anatomical position ■ A human being is standing erect, with face forward, arms at the side, and palms forward. ○ Anterior or ventral ■ Means “front” or “in front of” ■ Examples: ● The knees are located on the anterior surface of the human body. ● A ventral hernia may protrude from the front or belly of the abdomen. ○ Posterior or dorsal ■ Means “back” or “in back of” ■ Examples: ● Human shoulder blades are found on the posterior surface of the body. ○ Cephalic and caudal ■ Cephalic means “skull” or “head end” of the body. ■ Caudal means “tail end” ○ Superior ■ Means “upper” or “above another” ○ Inferior ■ Means “lower” or “below another” ○ Medial ■ “Toward the midline or median plane of the body” ○ Lateral ■ “Away” or “toward the side of the body” ○ Proximal ■ “Towards the point of attachment to the body” or “toward the trunk of the body” ○ Distal ■ “Away from the point of attachment or origin” or “farthest from the trunk” ○ Superficial or external ■ “On or near the surface of the body” ○ Deep or internal ■ Involves damage to an internal organ. ● Terms referring to Body Planes and Sections ○ Planes ■ Imaginary anatomical dividing lines that are useful for separating body structures. ○ Section ■ A cut made in a certain direction of a certain plane. ○ Sagittal plane ■ Divides the body into left and right parts. ○ Midsagittal plane ■ The plane starts in the middle of the skull, proceeds down, bisects the sternum and vertebral column, the body would be divided equally into right and left halves. ○ Coronal (frontal) plane ■ A vertical cut at right angles to the sagittal plane, dividing the body into anterior and posterior portions. ○ Transverse (cross section) ■ A horizontal cut that divides the body into upper and lower portions. ● Terms Referring to Cavities of the Body: ○ Dorsal cavity ■ Posterior cavity of the body that houses the brain and spinal column. ○ Cranial cavity ■ Area of the body containing the brain. ○ Spinal cavity ■ Area of the body containing the spinal cord. ○ Thoracic cavity ■ Area of the body divided into 2 cavities: the left pleural cavity contains the left lung and the right pleural cavity contains the right lung. ○ Abdominopelvic cavity ■ Area below the diaphragm, with no separation between the abdomen and pelvis. ○ Abdominal cavity ■ Area of the body that contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, small intestine, appendix, and part of the large intestine. ○ Pelvic cavity ■ Area of the body containing the urinary bladder, reproductive organs, rectum, remainder of large intestine, and appendix. ● Terms Referring to Regions in the Abdominopelvic Cavity: ○ Epigastric ■ Upper region of the abdominal cavity, located just below the sternum. ○ Umbilical ■ Area located around the navel (umbilicus); the right and left lumbar region. ○ Hypogastric ■ Lower region of the abdominal area. ● Smaller Cavities: ○ Orbital cavity ■ Contains the eye and its external structures. ○ Nasal cavity ■ One of the pairs of cavities between the anterior nares and the nasopharynx. ○ Oral (buccal) cavity ■ Encloses the teeth and tongue. ● Human Development: ○ Cells ■ The basic unit of structure and function of all living things. ○ Tissues ■ Special cells grouped according to function, shape, size, and structure. ○ Organs ■ Tissues, in turn, form larger functional and structural units. ○ Organ system ■ Organs that are grouped together because more than one is needed to perform a function.