Unit 1 – Introduction to Anatomical Terms

Overview of Anatomical Terminology

This unit introduces the foundational language and concepts used in anatomy, focusing on directional terms, regional terms, and the organization of the body.

• Directional Terms: Words used to describe the locations of structures relative to other structures or locations in the body (e.g., superior, inferior, anterior, posterior).

• Regional Terms: Specific terms that refer to particular areas of the body (e.g., brachial for arm, femoral for thigh).

• Body Planes and Sections: Understanding how the body is divided for study, such as sagittal, frontal (coronal), and transverse planes.

• Body Cavities: The major spaces within the body that house organs, such as the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

• Organ Systems: Groups of organs that work together to perform complex functions (e.g., digestive, respiratory, nervous systems).

Example: The heart is medial to the lungs and superior to the diaphragm.

Unit 3 – Introduction to the Microscope

Microscope Structure and Use

This unit covers the basic parts of the microscope and how to use it to observe anatomical structures.

• Parts of the Microscope: Includes the ocular lens (eyepiece), objective lenses, stage, coarse and fine focus knobs, and light source.

• Total Magnification: Calculated by multiplying the magnification of the ocular lens by that of the objective lens.

Formula:

Example: If the ocular lens is 10x and the objective lens is 40x, total magnification is 400x.

Unit 4 – Cytology

Cell Structure and Identification

This unit focuses on the study of cells, their structures, and how to identify them using models and microscopes.

• Anatomical Cell Model: A 3D representation of a typical animal cell, showing organelles such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and endoplasmic reticulum.

• Cell Cycle: The series of phases that cells go through as they grow and divide (interphase, mitosis, cytokinesis).

• Microscopy: Identifying cell structures under the microscope, including the plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and nucleus.

Example: The nucleolus is visible within the nucleus and is responsible for ribosome synthesis.

Unit 5 – Histology

Tissue Types and Microscopic Identification

This unit explores the four basic tissue types in the human body and how to distinguish them under the microscope.

• Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces and lines cavities; characterized by closely packed cells and minimal extracellular matrix.

• Connective Tissue: Supports, binds, and protects organs; includes bone, blood, cartilage, and adipose tissue.

• Muscle Tissue: Responsible for movement; includes skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle types.

• Nervous Tissue: Conducts electrical impulses; composed of neurons and supporting glial cells.

• Microscopy: Identifying tissue types based on cell shape, arrangement, and staining characteristics.

Example: Simple squamous epithelium consists of a single layer of flat cells, often found lining blood vessels.

Unit 6 – Integumentary System

Skin Structure and Function

This unit examines the anatomy of the skin and its associated structures using models and microscopy.

• Anatomical Skin Model: Demonstrates the layers of the skin (epidermis, dermis, hypodermis) and accessory structures (hair follicles, sweat glands).

• Functions of the Skin: Protection, sensation, thermoregulation, and synthesis of vitamin D.

Example: The epidermis is composed primarily of keratinized stratified squamous epithelium.

Unit 8 – Skeletal System

Axial and Appendicular Skeleton

This unit covers the identification and classification of bones in the human skeleton, focusing on the axial and appendicular divisions.

• Axial Skeleton: Consists of the skull, vertebral column, and thoracic cage.

• Appendicular Skeleton: Includes the bones of the limbs and girdles (pectoral and pelvic girdles).

• Skull Anatomy: Identification of major bones and features from various views (anterior, lateral, posterior).

Table: Comparison of Axial and Appendicular Skeleton

Example: The femur is the longest bone in the appendicular skeleton, while the sternum is a key bone of the axial skeleton.

Additional info: The syllabus references specific figures and pages for lab manual study; students should consult their lab manual for detailed bone identification.