Human Anatomy & Physiology

Introduction

What is Anatomy

• Anatomy is the branch of biomedical science dealing with normal structure, shape, size & location of various parts of the body.
• This is the WHAT and WHERE of the body.
• Describes the structures of the body:
• what they are made of
• where they are located
• associated structures

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Types of anatomy

• 1. Gross anatomy

-study of anatomy of structures, which are large enough that one can see with the unaided eye.

• Surface Anatomy - study of superficial markings
• Regional Anatomy - The study of specific areas of the body (e.g. head, trunk)
• Systemic Anatomy - Study of the 11 specific organ systems

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Organ systems

Integumentary

Nervous

Skeletal

Endocrine

Muscular

Cardiovascular

Lymphatic

Urinary

Respiratory

Reproductive

Digestive

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• 2. Microscopic anatomy

-Involves studying anatomical structures that cannot be seen with the unaided eye

1. Cytology – study of cells
2. Histology - study of tissues

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What is Physiology

• Physiology is the branch of biomedical science dealing with normal functioning of various organs in the body.
• It is the study of functions of anatomical structures, both individual and co-operative.
• It describes what happens in various organs & Organ systems present in our body. For ex
• How one digests, breathes, excretes, reproduces etc.

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Physiology = Function

• Considers the operation of specific organ systems
• Renal – kidney function
• Cardiovascular – operation of the heart and blood vessels
• Focuses on the functions of the body, often at the cellular or molecular level

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• Anatomy and Physiology are closely integrated, both theoretically and practically
• All specific functions are performed by specific structures.
• Principle of complementarity says that structure and function are complementary i.e. Function always reflects structure
• For example:

Left side of heart is larger than right.

• Why is that?

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Organization of human body

• Chemical Level: - atoms (e.g. carbon) combine to form molecules (e.g. glucose)
• Cellular level:
• Smallest living units in organisms
• Cells contain organelles, each with a function
• Tissue level - different groups of cells that perform a function
• Organ Level - Different types of tissues that perform a common function
• Organ system – consists of different organs that work closely together

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• The human body is divided into 11 organ systems
• All organ systems work together i.e. co-operate & co-ordinate to maintain Homeostasis in our body functions.
• Homeostasis: ability to maintain a relatively stable internal environment in an ever-changing outside world.
• All body systems working together to maintain a stable internal environment, respond to external and internal changes to function within a normal range (body temperature, fluid balance).
• Failure to function within a normal range results in disease.

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Scope of Anatomy & Physiology

• This subject is designed to impart a fundamental knowledge on the structure and functions of the human body.
• It also helps in understanding both homeostasis mechanisms and homeostatic imbalances of various body systems.
• Since a medicament, which is produced by pharmacist, is used to correct the body’s excesses, deficiencies & deviations.

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• But, unless we know the normal physiological functions, how can we prepare & use the drugs to correct these functions?
• These subjects are useful to understand the impact (changes during) of disease on the human body i.e. pathophysiology, & the effects of the drugs on the human body i.e. Pharmacology.
• It enhances the understanding of how the drugs act on the various body systems in correcting the disease state of the organs.

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Upon completion of the course the student shall be able to:

a. describe the structure (gross and histology) and functions of various organs of the human body;

b. describe the various homeostatic mechanisms and their imbalances of various systems;

c. identify the various tissues and organs of the different systems of the human body;

d. perform the hematological tests and also record blood pressure, heart rate, pulse etc;

e. appreciate coordinated working pattern of different organs of each system in the maintenance of normal functioning

(homeostasis) of human body

Human Anatomy & Physiology

Basic Terminology

Anatomical terms

• Superior and Inferior – toward and away from the head, respectively
• Anterior and Posterior – toward the front and back of the body (ventral & Dorsal)
• Medial and Lateral – toward the midline, away from the midline
• Proximal and Distal – closer to and farther from the origin of the body part
• Superficial and Deep – toward and away from the body surface
• Cranial and Caudal – toward the head and toward the tail

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Anatomical Position

• The anatomical position is a standardized method of observing or imaging the body that allows precise and consistent anatomical references.
• When in the anatomical position, the subject stands.
• standing upright
• facing the observer, head level
• eyes facing forward
• feet flat on the floor
• arms at the sides
• palms turned forward (ventral)

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Prefixes related to structures

• Angio – Blood vessels
• Broncho - Broncioles
• Buccal - Cheek
• Cardiac - Heart
• Chole – Gall Bladder
• Entero - Intestinal
• Hepato - Liver
• Gastric - Stomach
• Metro - Uterus
• Myo - Muscular
• Neuro - Neuronal
• Osteo - Bones

Prefixes related to Position

• Endo – Inside
• Exo – Outside
• Extra – In addition
• Hetero – different
• Homo – same
• Inter – Between
• Intra – Within
• Peri – Around
• Post - after
• Pre – Before
• Pro- In front of
• Contra – opposite/against
• Infra – below
• Supra – above
• Sub – Under
• Trans - across

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Prefixes related to size

• Iso- equal
• Semi – Half
• Hyper – Excess
• Hypo – Less than

Body Planes

• Sometimes to gain a greater understanding of 3D images anatomists cut the image at different planes
• Three planes exists in 3D space

-Two are parallel to the long axis of the body

-One is perpendicular to the long axis.

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Body Planes

• Medial– parallel to long axis, divides the body into right and left parts
• Frontal or coronal – also parallel to long axis, divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
• Transverse or horizontal (cross section) – perpendicular to long axis, divides the body into superior and inferior parts

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Body Cavities

• Dorsal cavity protects the nervous system, and is divided into two subdivisions
• Cranial cavity – within the skull; encases the brain
• Vertebral cavity – runs within the vertebral column; encases the spinal cord
• Ventral cavity houses the internal organs (viscera), and is divided into two subdivisions
• Thoracic
• Abdomino-pelvic

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