Structure and Function Flashcards
Anatomy
the study of structure and shape of body and parts and their relationships to each other
Physiology
-study of how body parts work or function
-many subdivisions
dynamic–>requires active experimentation
Scientific Method
- hypothesis–>reasonable guess based on observations
- experimentation–>testing of hypothesis
- ->simple as possible - if results support hypothesis
- tentatively accepted as true
- put through rigorous testing
- then becomes theory/law
Anatomical Position
initial reference point
- body erect
- feet parallel
- arms at side
- palms forward
- head forward
- gives meaning to anatomical directions
Superior
toward the head or upper part
Inferior (caudal)
away from the head, lower part, below
Anterior (ventral)
toward or at the front, in front of
Posterior (dorsal)
toward or at the backside, in back of
Medial
toward or at the midline, on the inner side
Lateral
away from the midline, toward the side
proximal
closer to the origin of the body part or point of attachment
Distal
farther from origin or point of attachment
Superficial
toward or at the surface, near the surface
Deep
away from surface, internal
Median (sagittal)
- cut lengthwise
- divides into L and R
- creates 2 equal parts (midsagittal)
Frontal (coronal)
- cut lengthwise
- split into anterior and posterior
Transverse
- along horizontal plane
- creates superior and inferior (upper and lower)
- aka cross section
Dorsal Body Cavity
1) Cranial
- space inside skull
- brain
2) Spinal
- from cranial to end of vertebral column
- spinal cord
Ventral Cavity
- larger than dorsal
1) Thoracic Cavity - separated by diaphragm
- Medistinum–>midportion, subdivision of Thoracic
- divided into R&L pleural cavities
2) Abdominopelvic Cavity
- no physical partition
- divided into 4 quadrants
- actually has 9 regions
Abdominopelvic Regions
1) Upper Abdominpelvic (above 9th rib)
- R hypochondriac, Epigastric, L hypochondriac
2) Middle (b/w 9th rib and hips)
- R lumbar, umbilical, L lumbar
3) Lower (below hips)
- R illiac (inguinal), hypogastric, L illiac (inguinal)
Body Regions
- body as a whole is divided into 2 major portions
- each major area divided
1) Axial
- head, neck, torso, trunk
2) Appendicular
- upper and lower extremities
Atrophy
- degenerative process from disuse
- can usually be reversed with therapy
Antebrachial
forearm
