Anatomy and Physiology – Introduction

Anatomy and Physiology – Introduction

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

• By

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

• The Anatomy and Physiology module introduces the structure and function
• of the human body. You will read about the cells, tissues and membranes
• that make up our bodies and how our major systems function to help us
• develop and stay healthy.
• In this module you will learn to:
• Describe basic human body functions and life process.
• Name the major human body systems and relate their functions.
• Describe the anatomical locations, structures and physiological
• functions of the main components of each major system of the human

body.

INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN BODY

• Human beings are arguably the most complex organisms on this planet.
• Imagine billions of microscopic parts, each with its own identity, working
• together in an organized manner for the benefit of the total being. The
• human body is a single structure but it is made up of billions of smaller
• structures of four major kinds:
• Cells
• Cells have long been recognized as the simplest units of living matter that
• can maintain life and reproduce themselves. The human body, which is
• made up of numerous cells, begins as a single, newly fertilized cell.
• Tissues
• Tissues are somewhat more complex units than cells. By definition, a tissue
• is an organization of a great many similar cells with varying amounts and
• kinds of nonliving, intercellular substance between them.
• Organs
• Organs are more complex units than tissues. An organ is an organization of
• several different kinds of tissues so arranged that together they can perform
• a special function. For example, the stomach is an organization of muscle,
• connective, epithelial, and nervous tissues. Muscle and connective tissues
• form its wall, epithelial and connective tissues form its lining, and nervous
• tissue extends throughout both its wall and its lining.
• Systems
• Systems are the most complex of the component units of the human body. A
• system is an organization of varying numbers and kinds of organs so
• arranged that together they can perform complex functions for the body. Ten
• major systems compose the human body:
• Skeletal
• Muscular
• Nervous
• Endocrine
• Cardiovascular
• Lymphatic
• Respiratory
• Digestive
• Urinary
• Reproductive
• Anatomy is the study of the structure and relationship between body parts.
• Physiology is the study of the function of body parts and the body as a
• whole.
• The structure of an organism or any of its parts. The scientific study of the
• shape and structure of organisms and their parts. Anatomy Definition. The
• structure of an animal or plant; also, the study of this structure through
• techniques such as microscopic observation and dissection.
• Anatomy is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure
• of organisms and their parts. In some of its facets, anatomy is related
• to embryology and comparative anatomy, which itself is closely related
• to evolutionary biology and phylogeny. Human anatomy is one of the basic
• essential sciences of medicine.
• The history of anatomy is characterized by a progressive understanding of
• the functions of the organs and structures of the human body. Methods have
• also improved dramatically, advancing from the examination of animals by
• dissection of carcasses and cadavers (corpses) to 20th century medical
• imaging techniques including X-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance
• imaging.
• Anatomy and physiology, which study (respectively) the structure
• and function of organisms and their parts, make a natural pair of related
• disciplines, and they are often studied together.
• Anatomy is the scientific study of the structure of organisms including their
• systems, organs and tissues. It includes the appearance and position of the
• various parts, the materials from which they are composed, their locations
• and their relationships with other parts. Anatomy is quite distinct
• from physiology and biochemistry, which deal respectively with the
• functions of those parts and the chemical processes involved. For example,
• an anatomist is concerned with the shape, size, position, structure, blood
• supply and innervation of an organ such as the liver; while a physiologist is
• interested in the production of bile, the role of the liver in nutrition and the
• regulation of bodily functions

Anatomical Structure of human body