Lesson 1 General

DEFINITIONS

a. Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body. Often, you may be more interested in functions of the body. Functions include digestion, respiration, circulation, and reproduction. Physiology is the study of the functions of the body.

b. The body is a chemical and physical machine. As such, it is subject to certain laws. These are sometimes called natural laws. Each part of the body is engineered to do a particular job. These jobs are functions. For each job or body function, there is a particular structure engineered to do it.

c. In the laboratory, anatomy is studied by dissection (SECT = cut, DIS = apart).

BODY TYPES

No two human beings are built exactly alike, but we can group individuals into three major categories. These groups represent basic body shapes.

MORPH = body, body form
ECTO = all energy is outgoing
ENDO = all energy is stored inside
MESO = between, in the middle
ECTOMORPH = slim individual
ENDOMORPH = broad individual
MESOMORPH = body type between the two others, "muscular" type

Ectomorphs, slim persons, are more susceptible to lung infections. Endomorphs are more susceptible to heart disease.

NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY

a. Each profession and each science has its own language. Lawyers have legal terminology. Physicians and other medical professions and occupations have medical terminology. Accountants have debits, credits, and balance sheets. Physicists have quantums and quarks. Mathematicians have integrals and differentials. Mechanics have carburetors and alternators. Educators have objectives, domains, and curricula.

b. To work in a legal field, you should know the meaning of quid pro quo. To work in a medical field, you should know the meanings of terms such as proximal, distal, sagittal, femur, humerus, thorax, and cerebellum.

KINDS OF ANATOMICAL STUDIES

a. Microscopic anatomy is the study of structures that cannot be seen with the

unaided eye. You need a microscope.

b. Gross anatomy by systems is the study of organ systems, such as the

respiratory system or the digestive system.

c. Gross anatomy by regions considers anatomy in terms of regions such as the

trunk, upper member, or lower member.

d. Neuroanatomy studies the nervous system.

e. Functional anatomy is the study of relationships between functions and

structures.

ORGANIZATION OF THE HUMAN BODY

The human body is organized into cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and the

total organism.

a. Cells are the smallest living unit of body construction.

b. A tissue is a grouping of like cells working together. Examples are muscle tissue and nervous tissue.

c. An organ is a structure composed of several different tissues performing a particular function. Examples include the lungs and the heart.

d. Organ systems are groups of organs which together perform an overall function. Examples are the respiratory system and the digestive system.

e. The total organism is the individual human being. You are a total organism.

REGIONS OF THE HUMAN BODY

The human body is a single, total composite. Everything works together. Each part acts in association with ALL other parts. Yet, it is also a series of regions. Each region is responsible for certain body activities. These regions are: (click to enlarge the picture)

a. Back and Trunk. The torso includes the back and trunk. The trunk includes the thorax (chest) and abdomen. At the lower end of the trunk is the pelvis. The perineum is the portion of the body forming the floor of the pelvis. The lungs, the heart, and the digestive system are found in the trunk.

b. Head and Neck. The brain, eyes, ears, mouth, pharynx, and larynx are found in this region.

c. Members.

(1) Each upper member includes a shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist, and hand.

(2) Each lower member includes a hip, thigh, leg, ankle, and foot.