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Lecture 1

(based on chapters 1 & 3)

Foundations: An Introduction to Anatomy
From Chapter 1
Introduction
Anatomy
The study of external structures
The study of internal structures
The study of the relationship between body parts
The careful observation of the human body
Physiology
The study of how the body functions
The study of mechanisms in the body
Microscopic anatomy
The study of structures that cannot be seen without magnification
Cytologystudy of cells
Histologystudy of tissues
Macroscopic anatomy
The study of structures that can be seen without magnification
Surface anatomy: refers to the superficial anatomical markings
Regional anatomy: refers to all structures in a specific area of the body, whether they are superficial or deep
Systemic anatomy: The study of the organ systems of the body (digestive system, cardiovascular system, etc.)
Other Perspectives on Anatomy
Developmental anatomy: examines structural changes over time
Embryology: the study of early developmental stages
Comparative anatomy: - considers different types of animals
Levels of Organization
Chemical/Molecular (simple)
- over a dozen elements in the body
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four of them make up 99% of the body - hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen

major classes of compounds water, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acid

Cell
the smallest living unit in the body

Tissue
many cells and some surrounding material

Organ
combination of tissues

Organ system
Combination of various organs make up a specific system (example: the stomach, small intestine, large intestine,
liver, gallbladder, and pancreas make up the digestive system)
Organism (complex)

Levels of Organization of Organ Systems - Humans are composed of 11 organ systems

Integumentary System
Skeletal System
Muscular System

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Nervous System
Endocrine System
Cardiovascular System
Lymphoid System
Respiratory System
Digestive System
Urinary System
Reproductive System
The Language of Anatomy
Superficial Anatomy
The terms are typically derived from Latin or Greek
Latin or Greek is used because they are descriptive languages
Anatomical position
The hands are at the side
The palms are facing forward
All discussion of the human body is in reference to the anatomical position
Supine: lying down (face up) in the anatomical position
Prone: lying down (face down) in the anatomical position
Abdominopelvic quadrants and regions
Anatomists and clinicians use specialized regional terms to indicate a specific area of concern within the abdomen or
the pelvic regions of the body.
The abdomen and pelvic regions can be subdivided into four regions (abdominopelvic quadrants):
Right upper quadrant (RUQ)
Left upper quadrant (LUQ)
Right lower quadrant (RLQ)
Left lower quadrant (LLQ)
The abdomen and pelvic regions can be subdivided into nine regions (abdominopelvic regions):
Epigastric
Right hypochondriac
Left hypochondriac
Umbilical
Right lumbar
Left lumbar
Hypogastric
Right inguinal
Left inguinal
Anatomical directions
The most common directional terms used are:
Superior
Inferior
Anterior
Posterior
Medial
Lateral
Superficial
Deep

See Table 1.2 Regional and Directional Terms

Sectional Anatomy
There are many different ways to dissect a piece of tissue for further study. These are referred to as dissectional cuts
or dissectional planes.
Transverse cut: separating superior and inferior
Sagittal cut: separating left and right

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Midsagittal: separating left and right equally
Parasagittal: separating left and right unequally
Frontal cut: separating anterior and posterior
Oblique cut: separating the tissue at an angle
Sectional Anatomy: Body cavities
If you remove an organ from the body, you will leave a cavity
The body cavities are studied in this manner:
Posterior cavity
Cranial cavity: consists of the brain
Spinal cavity: consists of the spinal cord
Anterior cavity
Thoracic cavity consists of:
Pleural cavity: lungs
Pericardial cavity: heart
Mediastinal cavity: space between the apex of the lungs
Abdominopelvic cavity consists of:
Abdominal cavity: stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, etc. (within peritoneal cavity)
Pelvic cavity: urinary bladder
Each cavity consists of a double-layered membrane (parietal and visceral)
The membrane nearest the wall of the body (farthest from the organs) is the parietal membrane
- parietal pleura (lungs), parietal pericardium (heart), parietal peritoneum (abdomen)
The membrane farthest from the wall of the body (nearest the organs) is the visceral membrane
- visceral pleura (lungs), visceral pericardium (heart), visceral peritoneum (abdomen)
Between the double membranes (parietal and visceral) is a cavity filled with serous fluid which a very smooth nonviscous fluid allowing very fluid easy movements of organs with no friction, in contrast to mucous
fluid which is thick and sticky (very viscous)
From Chapter 3 - Foundations: Tissues
There are over 75 trillion cells in the body
All cells can be placed into one of the four tissue categories
Epithelial tissue
Connective tissue
Muscular tissue
Neural tissue
Epithelial Tissue
Epithelial Tissue Characteristics
- Cells are bound close together
- No intercellular space - Arranged in sheets
- Composed of one or more layers of cells
-Regeneration - Cells are continuously replaced via cell reproduction
- Polarity -have an exposed apical surface
- have an attached basal surface
- Attachment - Basal layer is attached to the basal lamina
- Avascularity - Do not consist of blood vessels (no vascular connections)
Functions of Epithelial Tissue
Provides physical protection
Controls permeability
Provides sensation
Produces secretions
Specialization of Epithelial Cells
Microvilli - For absorption and secretion
Stereocilia - Long microvilli, commonly found in the inner ear
Ciliated epithelium - Moves substances over the apical surfaces of the cells

Classification of Epithelia
Simple - Epithelium has only one layer of cells
Stratified - Epithelium has two or more layers of cells
Epithelial Tissue Cells
Squamous cells - Thin, flat cells / squished nuclei
Cuboidal cells - Cube-shaped cells / centered, round nucleus
Columnar cells - Longer than they are wide / nucleus near the base
Transitional cells - Mixture of cells / nuclei appear to be scattered
Simple Squamous Epithelium - Consists of very delicate cells
Location - Lining body cavities, the heart, the blood vessels
Function - Reduces friction
- Absorbs and secretes material
Stratified Squamous Epithelium
Location - Surface of skin
Lines: mouth, esophagus, anus, vagina
Function - Protection
Simple Cuboidal Epithelium
Location - Thyroid gland, ducts, kidney tubules
Function - Secretion, absorption
Stratified Cuboidal Epithelium
Location - Ducts of sweat glands
Function - Secretion, absorption
Tissue
Simple Columnar Epithelium
Location - Lining: stomach, intestines, uterine tubes
Function - Secretion, absorption, protection
Stratified Columnar Epithelium
Location - Pharynx, epiglottis, mammary glands, salivary glands
Function - Protection
Pseudostratified Ciliated Columnar Epithelium
Nucleus situated at different levels
Location - Nasal cavity, trachea, bronchi
Function - Protection, secretion
Transitional Epithelium
Consists of many layers
Consists of a combination of cuboidal and odd shaped cells
Location - Urinary bladder
Function - Ability to stretch extensively