Anatomy & Physiology Study Guide: Body Cavities, Membranes, Organ Systems, Cell Biology, Histology, Skeletal System, and Joints

Body Cavities, Membranes, and Abdominopelvic Quadrants & Regions

Body Cavities

The human body contains several major and specific cavities that house vital organs and structures. Understanding these cavities is essential for identifying organ locations and their protective environments.

• Major Cavities:

  • Dorsal cavity: Contains the cranial and spinal cavities.

  • Ventral cavity: Includes thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

• Specific Cavities:

  • Cranial cavity: Houses the brain.

  • Spinal cavity: Contains the spinal cord.

  • Thoracic cavity: Contains the heart and lungs.

  • Pleural cavity: Surrounds each lung.

  • Pericardial cavity: Surrounds the heart.

  • Mediastinum: Central compartment of the thoracic cavity.

  • Abdominopelvic cavity: Includes abdominal and pelvic cavities.

  • Abdominal cavity: Contains digestive organs.

  • Pelvic cavity: Contains reproductive organs, bladder, and rectum.

Membranes

Body cavities are lined by membranes that protect and compartmentalize organs.

• Serous membranes (serosa): Double-layered membranes lining ventral body cavities.

  • Parietal vs. Visceral layers: Parietal lines cavity walls; visceral covers organs.

  • Examples: Pleura (lungs), Pericardium (heart), Peritoneum (abdominal organs).

• Mucous membranes (mucosa): Line body cavities open to the exterior.

• Cutaneous membrane: The skin.

• Synovial membranes: Line joint cavities.

Abdominopelvic Quadrants and Regions

The abdominopelvic area is divided into quadrants and regions to help locate organs and describe pain or pathology.

• Quadrants:

  • Right upper quadrant

  • Left upper quadrant

  • Right lower quadrant

  • Left lower quadrant

• Regions:

  • Right hypochondriac

  • Epigastric

  • Left hypochondriac

  • Right lumbar

  • Umbilical

  • Left lumbar

  • Right inguinal

  • Hypogastric (pubic)

  • Left inguinal

Organ Systems

The body is organized into organ systems, each with specific functions and major organs.

• Integumentary

• Skeletal

• Muscular

• Nervous

• Endocrine

• Cardiovascular

• Lymphatic

• Respiratory

• Digestive

• Urinary

• Reproductive

Cell Biology and Microscopy

Parts of the Cell

Cells are the basic units of life, containing specialized structures for various functions.

• Cell membrane

• Cytoplasm (cytosol)

• Chromatin

• Chromosomes

• Nuclear envelope

• Nucleolus

• Cytoskeleton

• Lysosome

• Centrioles

• Flagellum

• Cilia

• Golgi apparatus

• Rough endoplasmic reticulum

• Smooth endoplasmic reticulum

• Ribosome

• Mitochondria

• Peroxisome

Microscopy

Microscopes are essential tools for studying cells and tissues. Total magnification is calculated by multiplying the magnification of the ocular lens by the objective lens.

• Formula: $\text{Total Magnification} = \text{Ocular Magnification} \times \text{Objective Magnification}$

Mitosis and Meiosis

Cell division occurs via mitosis (somatic cells) and meiosis (gametes). Each process has distinct phases.

• Mitosis Phases: Prophase, Metaphase, Anaphase, Telophase, Cytokinesis

• Meiosis: Includes two rounds of division, producing four haploid cells.

Cellular Transport

Cells transport substances via diffusion and osmosis, influenced by solution tonicity.

• Diffusion: Movement of molecules from high to low concentration.

• Osmosis: Diffusion of water across a semipermeable membrane.

• Tonicity: Isotonic, hypotonic, and hypertonic solutions affect cell volume.

Histology: Tissues and Features

Four Main Types of Tissue

Tissues are groups of cells with similar structure and function. The four main types are:

• Epithelial tissue: Covers surfaces and lines cavities.

• Connective tissue: Supports, binds, and protects organs.

• Muscle tissue: Produces movement.

• Nervous tissue: Transmits electrical signals.

Epithelial Tissue Types

• Simple squamous

• Simple cuboidal

• Simple columnar

• Transitional

• Stratified squamous (keratinized/nonkeratinized)

• Stratified cuboidal/columnar

• Pseudostratified columnar

Epithelial Features

• Apical vs. basal surface

• Basement membrane

• Microvilli (increase surface area)

Connective Tissue Types

• Adipose tissue

• Dense (fibrous) connective tissue

• Regular/Irregular dense c.t.

• Fibrocartilage

• Elastic cartilage

• Bone

• Blood

C.T. Features: Collagen and elastin fibers, extracellular matrix, cells (fibroblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes), lacuna.

Integumentary System

Layers and Sublayers of Cutaneous Membrane

The skin consists of multiple layers, each with distinct cell types and functions.

• Epidermis:

  • Stratum corneum

  • Stratum lucidum (thick skin only)

  • Stratum granulosum

  • Stratum spinosum

  • Stratum basale (germinativum)

• Dermis:

  • Papillary layer

  • Reticular layer

• Subcutaneous layer (hypodermis)

Integumentary Structures

• Dermal papillae

• Hair shaft, root, follicle

• Pore

• Arrector pili muscle

• Sebaceous gland

• Merocrine (eccrine) sweat gland

• Apocrine sweat gland

• Free nerve ending

• Meissner's (tactile) corpuscle

• Pacinian (pressure) corpuscle

• Keratinocyte

• Melanocyte

Skeletal System: Bones, Joints, and Features

Introductory Material

The skeletal system provides structure, protection, and movement. Bones are classified by shape and function.

• Name and locate major structures of a long bone

• Distinguish between compact and spongy bone

• Describe functions of bone structures

• Identify major features of the skeleton

Skull

The skull protects the brain and forms the structure of the face.

• Distinguish between cranial and facial skeleton

• Major bones: Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital, Maxilla, Zygomatic, Sphenoid, Ethmoid, Nasal, Palatine, Vomer, Mandible

• Major sutures: Coronal, Sagittal, Squamous, Lambdoid

• Other features: Mastoid process, Styloid process, Foramen magnum, Crista galli, Sella turcica, Zygomatic arch, Mandibular condyle

Bones of the Skull	Major Skull Sutures	Other Skull Features
Frontal, Parietal, Temporal, Occipital, Maxilla, Zygomatic, Sphenoid, Ethmoid, Nasal, Palatine, Vomer, Mandible	Coronal, Sagittal, Squamous, Lambdoid	Mastoid process, Styloid process, Foramen magnum, Crista galli, Sella turcica, Zygomatic arch, Mandibular condyle

Vertebral Column and Thoracic Cage

The vertebral column supports the body and protects the spinal cord. The thoracic cage protects vital organs.

• General Vertebral Features: Body, vertebral canal, transverse processes

• Specific Vertebrae: Cervical (7), Atlas (C1), Axis (C2), Sacrum, Coccyx, Thoracic (12), Lumbar (5)

• Ribs: True (1-7), False (8-12), Floating (11-12)

• Sternum: Manubrium, Body, Xiphoid process

Pectoral Girdle and Upper Limb

The pectoral girdle connects the upper limb to the trunk and allows for a wide range of motion.

• Clavicle: Sternal end, acromial end

• Scapula: Spine, acromion, coracoid process, glenoid cavity

• Humerus: Greater/lesser tubercle, head, coronoid/olecranon fossa, trochlea, capitulum, medial/lateral epicondyle

• Radius: Head, radial tuberosity, styloid process

• Ulna: Olecranon process, trochlear notch, coronoid process, radial notch, styloid process

• Hand: Carpals, metacarpals, phalanges

Pelvic Girdle and Lower Limb

The pelvic girdle supports the lower limb and protects pelvic organs.

• Pelvic Bones: Ilium, ischium, pubis, acetabulum, pubic symphysis, iliac crest, ischial tuberosity, obturator foramen, iliac crest, greater sciatic notch

• Femur: Head, neck, greater/lesser trochanter, lateral/medial condyles

• Tibia: Lateral/medial condyles, tibial tuberosity, anterior crest, medial malleolus

• Fibula: Head, lateral malleolus

• Foot: Tarsals, calcaneus, talus, metatarsals, phalanges

• Patella: Kneecap

Joints and Motion

Joint Types

Joints are classified by structure and function, allowing for varying degrees of movement.

• Fibrous: Suture, syndesmosis, gomphosis

• Cartilaginous: Synchondrosis, symphysis

• Synovial: Plane (gliding), hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle, ball and socket

Synovial Joint Components

• Synovial membrane

• Articular cartilage

• Joint cavity

• Articular capsule

Knee Joint

• Quadriceps tendon

• Patellar ligament

• Anterior/posterior cruciate ligament

• Tibial (medial) collateral ligament

• Fibular (lateral) collateral ligament

• Medial/lateral meniscus

Motion Terms

Describing joint movement requires understanding anatomical terms.

• Flexion, extension, hyperextension

• Abduction, adduction

• Rotation (medial/lateral)

• Circumduction

• Pronation, supination

• Elevation, depression

• Opposition

• Protraction, retraction

• Inversion, eversion

• Dorsiflexion, plantar flexion

*Additional info: Academic context and definitions have been expanded for clarity and completeness.*