Chapter 1: Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology – Study Guide

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Anatomy: The study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another.
Physiology: The study of the function of the body and how its parts work or carry out life-sustaining activities.
Example: Studying the structure of the heart is anatomy; studying how the heart pumps blood is physiology.

Medical imaging allows visualization of internal body structures for diagnosis and treatment.

Ultrasound: Uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize soft tissues; commonly used to view a fetus during pregnancy.
X-ray: Uses ionizing radiation to view dense structures like bones; used to determine if a bone is broken.
PET Scan (Positron Emission Tomography): Uses radioactive glucose to analyze metabolic activity, such as brain function.
CT Scan (Computed Tomography): Uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images; useful for diagnosing strokes.
MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of soft tissues; also used in stroke diagnosis.

Each body system has specific functions that contribute to overall homeostasis.

Example: The respiratory system exchanges gases; the digestive system processes nutrients.
Identification: Be able to match a list of functions to the correct body system.

Homeostasis: The maintenance of a stable internal environment despite external changes.
Predominant Regulatory Systems:
- Nervous System
- Endocrine System
These two systems primarily regulate and maintain homeostasis by sending signals and releasing hormones.

Feedback systems are mechanisms that maintain homeostasis by detecting and responding to changes.

Components of a Feedback System:
- Receptor: Detects changes in the environment (stimulus).
- Control Center: Receives input and determines the response (often the brain).
- Effector: Carries out the response to restore balance.

Negative Feedback: Reverses a change to maintain homeostasis. Most feedback systems in the body are negative.
Positive Feedback: Enhances or amplifies a change; less common.
Examples:
- Negative Feedback: Regulation of body temperature, blood glucose levels.
- Positive Feedback: Blood clotting, labor contractions during childbirth.

Understanding anatomical terminology is essential for describing locations and relationships of body parts.

Anatomical Position: Body standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.
Left vs. Right: Anatomical left and right refer to the subject's left and right, not the observer's.
Directional Terms:
- Distal: Farther from the point of attachment (e.g., the hand is distal to the upper arm).
- Proximal: Closer to the point of attachment.
- Medial: Closer to the midline of the body (e.g., the heart is medial to the right lung).
- Lateral: Farther from the midline.

Body planes are imaginary lines used to divide the body for anatomical study.

Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into right and left parts.
Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.
Transverse (Horizontal) Plane: Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

The body contains several cavities that house and protect organs.

Body Cavity	Major Organs
Cranial	Brain
Vertebral (Spinal)	Spinal cord
Thoracic	Heart, lungs
Abdominopelvic	Digestive organs, kidneys, bladder, reproductive organs

Serous membranes line body cavities and cover organs, reducing friction.

Types of Serous Membranes:
- Visceral: Covers the organs.
- Parietal: Lines the cavity walls.
Specific Serous Membranes:
- Pleura: Lungs
- Pericardium: Heart
- Peritoneum: Abdominal organs