ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY Definition of terms

By Mr. Manasseh Mvula

BSc N IV student UNZA

General objective

At the end of this lecture, a student should have knowledge on the language of Anatomy and Physiology

Specific Objectives

At the end of this lecture, a student should be able to;

Define anatomy and physiology Relate anatomy to physiology

Specific objectives contd

Explain the approaches studying anatomy to

Outline important anatomical terms

Explain the quadrants of the abdomen

Definition
Anatomy is derived from the Greek word 'temnein' meaning 'to cut'.
It is the study of the structure of the body, the parts inside and the relationships between them (Ross & Wilson, 2001 pg 4), (Marieb, 2003 pg 2).

Defn. contd

Physiology is the study of how the body parts work; how they work together and ensure life and health of the body (Ross & Wilson, 2001 pg 4), (Marieb, 2003 pg 2).

R/ship between Anatomy and Physiology

The body and all of the parts inside makes a good mechanism, every body part inside the body have their own job to do to ensure that the body functions as one mechanised thing, the structure determines what does what, how and when (Marieb, 2003 pg 2).

Approaches to studying Anatomy and Physiology

Regional Approach, each region of the body is studied separately and all aspects of that region are studied at the same time. Eg if the Thorax is to be studied, all of its structures are examined.

Approaches contd
In contrast, in a systemic approach, each system of the body is studied and followed throughout the entire body.
Eg a study of the cardiovascular system looks at the heart and all of the blood vessels in the body. This approach continues for the whole body until every system has been studied.

Anatomical terms
Anatomical position
The body is in the anatomical position when standing upright with feet together, hands by the side and face looking forward.

Anatomical terms contd

The mouth is closed and the facial expression is neutral. eyes are 'open' and something in the distance. focused on

Palms of the hands face forward with the fingers straight and together and with the pad of the thumb turned 90 to the pads of the fingers. The toes point forward.

Anatomical terms contd

Anatomical planes
Three major groups of planes pass through the body in the anatomical position. Coronal planes are oriented vertically and divide the body into anterior and posterior parts. Sagittal planes also are oriented vertically, but are at right angles to the coronal planes and divide the body into right and left parts.

 The plane that passes through the centre of the body dividing it into equal right and left halves is termed the median sagittal plane. Transverse, horizontal, or axial planes divide the body into superior and inferior parts.

Terms to describe location

Anterior (or ventral) and posterior (or dorsal) describe the position of structures relative to the 'front' and 'back' of the body.
Eg. the nose is an anterior (ventral) structure whereas the vertebral column is a posterior (dorsal) structure. Also, the nose is anterior to the ears and the vertebral column is posterior to the sternum.

Terms contd
Medial and lateral describe the position of structures relative to the median sagittal plane and the sides of the body.
Eg. the thumb is lateral to the little finger.
The nose is in the median sagittal plane and is medial to the eyes, which are in turn medial to the ears.

Terms contd
Superior and inferior describe structures in reference to the vertical axis of the body. For example, the head is superior to the shoulders and the knee joint is inferior to the hip joint.

Other terms used to describe include proximal and distal

positions

Proximal and distal are used with reference to being closer or farther from a structure's origin, particularly in the limbs. For example, the hand is distal to the elbow joint.

Terms contd
These terms are also used to describe the relative positions of branches along the course of linear structures, such as airways. For example, distal branches occur farther away towards the ends of the system whereas proximal branches occur closer and towards the origin of the system.

Terms contd
Two other terms used to describe the position of structures in the body are superficial and deep. These terms are used to describe the relative positions of two structures with respect to the surface of the body. For example, the sternum is superficial to the heart and the stomach is deep to the abdominal wall.

Stretch time

Quadrants of the Abdomen

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ): contains the Gall Bladder and right kidney Right Lower Quadrant (RLQ): contains the Appendix and right ovary Left Upper Quadrant (LUQ): contains the Left liver lobe, stomach and the left kidney Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ): contains the Small intestine and the left ovary.

Take home points

'Anatomy' is the study of the structure of the body, the parts inside and the r/ships btn them whereas physiology is the study of how the body parts work; how they work together and ensure life and health of the body.

Take home points

Students should get familiar with the terms used in anatomy such as anatomical position, anatomical planes and terms used to describe location.
Abdomen has four quadrants which should be taken into consideration when studying structures in the abdomen.

Assignment

Read and write brief notes about the organization of the body

References
Waugh A, Grant A (2006), Ross and WilsonAnatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, 10th edition, Churchill, Elsevier. Waugh A, Grant A (2010), Ross and WilsonAnatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness, 12th edition, Churchill, Elsevier. Watson R, (2005), Anatomy and Physiology for Nurses, 12th edition, Elsevier. UK

End of the lecture

Have a blessed day