1. Chapter 1
Structural Units

2. Anatomy and Physiology
A branch of biology
Anatomy- studies the shape and structure of an organism’s body and the relationship of one body part to another
Anatomy means to cut apart
Physiology- studies the function of each body part and how body parts work together to complete a living organism

3. Branches of Anatomy
Gross Anatomy- the study of large and easily observable structures on an organism.
Studied with regard to general shape and features
Study of shape is called morphology

4. Branches of Anatomy Microscopic Anatomy Subdivided into two branches
Cytology- study of structure, function, and development of cells
Histology- studies tissues and organs that make up the entire body of an organism

5. Branches of Anatomy
Developmental Anatomy- studies the growth and development of an organism during its lifetime
Embryology- studies the formation of an organism from a fertilized egg to birth

6. Branches of Anatomy
Comparative Anatomy- different body parts and organs of humans can be studied with regard to similarities and differences to other animals

7. Branches of Anatomy
Systematic Anatomy- study of the structure and function of various organs within a particular organ system
Dermatology- study of the integumentary system (skin, hair, nails)
Endocrinology- study of the hormones
Neurology- study of the nervous system

8. Terminology Anatomical Position
A human being standing erect, with face forward, arms at the side, and palms forward

9. Terminology Anterior or ventral- front or in front of
Example- the knees are located on the anterior surface of the human body
Example- a ventral hernia may protrude from the front of the abdomen

10. Terminology Posterior or Dorsal- back or in back of
Example- human shoulder blades are found on the posterior surface of the body
Example- the dorsal aspect of the foot is the back or sole of the foot

11. Terminology Cranial and Caudal- refer to direction
Cranial means skull or head end
Caudal means tail end
Example- a blow to the skull may increase cranial pressure and cause headaches
Example- caudal anesthesia is injected into the lower spine

12. Terminology Superior and Inferior
Superior- means upper or above another
Inferior- refers to lower or below another
Example- the heart and lungs are situated superior to the diaphragm while the intestines are inferior to it.

13. Terminology Medial and Lateral
Medial- means toward the midline of the body
Lateral- means away or toward the side of the body
Example- the nose is medial to the eyes and the ears are lateral to the nose

14. Terminology Proximal and Distal
Proximal- means toward the point of attachment to the body or toward the trunk of the body
Distal- means away from the point of attachment or farthest from the trunk

15. Body Planes and Sections
Planes- imaginary dividing lines that are useful in separating body structures
Section- a cut made through the body in the direction of a certain plane
Sagittal plane- divides the body into left and right parts
Midsagittal plane- when the body is equally divided into left and right halves
Coronal (frontal) plane- vertical cut at right angles to the sagittal plane divides the body into anterior and posterior
Transverse plane- horizontal cut that divides the body into upper and lower parts

16. Terminology Superficial and deep
Superficial- on or near the surface of the body
Example- a superficial wound involves injury to the outer skin
Deep- involves damage to an internal organ such as the stomach.

17. Cavities of the Body Dorsal cavity- contains the brain and spinal cord
Cranial cavity- contains only the brain
Spinal Cavity- contains only the spinal cord
Thoracic cavity- esophagus, bronchi, lungs, trachea, thymus gland, and heart are located here
Abdominal cavity- contains the stomach, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, small intestine, appendix, and part of the large intestine
Pelvic cavity- urinary bladder, reproductive organs, rectum, and large intestine

18. Regions in the Abdominopelvic cavity
Epigastric region (upper) – located below the sternum . Includes left and right hypocondriac regions located below the ribs
Umbilical region (middle)- located around the navel. Includes the left and right lumbar regions
Hypogastric region (lower)- also known as the pubic area. Includes the left and right iliac regions

19. Smaller Cavities
Orbital cavity- includes eyes, eyeball muscles, optic nerves, and lacrimal (tear) ducts
Nasal cavity- includes parts that form the nose
Buccal cavity- encloses the teeth and tongue

20. Body Processes
Metabolism- functional activities of cells that result in growth, repair, energy release, use of food, and secretions
Anabolism- building up of complex materials from simpler ones such as food and oxygen
Catabolism- breaking down and changing complex substances into simpler ones with a release of energy and carbon dioxide