Unit I: Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology and Chemistry of the Body

Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Definitions

Anatomy and Physiology are foundational sciences in healthcare, focusing on the structure and function of the human body. Understanding these terms is essential for further study in medical and health-related fields.

• Anatomy: The science that studies the form or structure of the body.

• Physiology: The science that studies the function of the body.

• Pathophysiology: The study of disorders of function, often relating to disease processes.

Medical Terminology

Healthcare Vocabulary

Medical terminology is the specialized language used in healthcare, often derived from Greek and Latin. Mastery of these terms is crucial for clear communication among professionals.

• Medical terms typically consist of 2 or 3 parts: prefix, root, and suffix.

• Prefixes indicate location, number, or time (e.g., epi-, hyper-, hypo-, dys-, macro-, micro-, poly-, brady-, tachy-).

• Roots provide the core meaning (e.g., gastric, nephro, hepato, entero).

• Suffixes indicate procedures, conditions, or diseases (e.g., -itis, -ectomy, -ostomy, -oscopy, -algia, -oma, -plasty, -ology).

• A combining vowel (usually 'o') is used to join roots and suffixes for ease of pronunciation (e.g., Esophagogastroduodenoscopy).

Acronyms in Medical Terminology

• AIDS – Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

• GERD – Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

• MI – Myocardial Infarction

Anatomical Terms

Anatomical Position

The anatomical position is the standard reference for describing locations and directions on the human body.

• Standing upright, facing forward

• Arms at the sides, palms facing forward

Body Positions for Clinical Treatment and Assessment

Various body positions are used in clinical settings for examination, treatment, and assessment.

• Trendelenburg: Head down, feet up

• Prone: Lying face down

• Supine: Lying face up

• High Fowler's Position: Sitting upright at 90°

• Semi Fowler's Position: Sitting at 45–60°

• Low Fowler's Position: Sitting at 15–30°

Directional Terms

Basic Directional Terms

Directional terms are used to describe the locations of structures relative to other structures or locations in the body.

• Superior/Cranial: Above

• Inferior/Caudal: Below

• Medial, Medius, Medialis: Middle, toward the midline

• Lateral: Side or away from the midline

• Proximal: Closer to the trunk of the body

• Distal: Farther away from the trunk of the body

Additional Directional Terms

• Superficial: Toward the surface of the body

• Deep: Away from the surface of the body

• Central: Near the center of the body (torso, head)

• Peripheral: Away from the body center, arms & legs

• External: Outside

• Internal: Inside

Example: The heart is medial to the lungs and deep to the sternum.

Additional info: These foundational terms and positions are essential for understanding anatomical descriptions, clinical procedures, and communication in healthcare settings.