A&P Ch 1: An Overview of Anatomy & Physiology

studies the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another

concerns the function of the body

is the study of large body structures visible to the naked eye, such as the heart, lungs, and kidneys

all the structures (muscles, bones, blood vessels, nerves etc.) in a particular region of the boy such as the abdomen or leg are examined at the same time

body structure is studied system by system

the study of internal structures as they relate to the overlying skin surface; when you identify the bulging muscles beneath a bodybuilder's skin, and clinicians use it to locate appropriate blood vessels in which to feel pulses and draw blood

deals with structures too small to be seen with the naked eye, for most studies, exceedingly thin slices of body tissues are stained and mounted on glass slides to be examined under the microscope

considers the cells of the body

the study of tissues

traces structural changes that occur in the boy throughout the life span

a subdivision  of developmental anatomy, concerns developmental anatomy, concerns changes that occur before birth

studies structural changes caused by disease

studies internal structures as visualized X-ray images or specialized scanning procedures

feeling organs with your hands

listening to organ sounds with a stethoscope

concerns kidney function and urine production

explains the workings of the nervous system

examines the operation of the heart and blood vessels

form follows function

at this level, atoms, tiny building block of matter, combine to form molecules such as water and proteins; molecules, in turn, associate in specific ways to form organelles, basic components of the microscopic cells

cells are the smallest units of living things; all cells have some common functions but individual cells vary widely in size and shape, reflecting their unique functions in the body

tissues are groups of similar cells that have a common function. The 4 basic tissue types in the human body are epithelium (covers the body surface and lines its cavities), muscle (provides movement), connective tissue (supports and protects body organs) and nervous tissue ( provides a means of rapid internal communication by transmitting electrical impulses).

a discrete structure composed of at least two tissue types (4 is more common) that performs a specific function for the body;a specialized functional center responsible for a necessary activity that no other organ can perform [liver, brain, stomach]

• extremely complex functions become possible ex. stomach: 
• - its lining is an epithelium that produces digestive juices
• -the bulk of its wall is muscle, which churns mixes stomach contents (food)
• -its connective tissue reinforces the soft muscular walls
• -its nerve fibers increase digestive activity by stimulating the muscle to contract more vigorously and the glands to secrete more digestive juices

• organs that work together to accomplish a common purpose make up an organ system 
• ex: the heart and blood vessels of the cardiovascular system circulate blood continuously to carry oxygen and nutrients to all body cells

represents the sum total of all structural levels working together to keep us alive

• 1) maintain their boundaries
• 2) movement 
• 3) responsiveness
• 4) digestion 
• 5) metabolism
• 6) excretion 
• 7) reproduction
• 8) growth

muscle cells ability to move by shortening

• form the external body coverings and protects deeper tissues from injury.
• Synthesizes vitamin D and houses cutaneous (pain, pressure, etc.) receptors and sweat and oil glands

• protects and supports body organs and provides a framework the muscles use to cause movement.
• Blood cells are formed within bones. 
• Bones are minerals

• allows manipulation of the environment, locomotion, and facial expression
• maintains posture and produces heat

as the fast acting control system of the body, it responds to internal and external changes by activating appropriate muscles and glands

glands secrete hormones that regulate processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use (metabolism) by body cells

blood vessels transport blood, which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes, etc. The heart pumps blood