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Chapter 1 - The Sciences of Anatomy and Physiology

Terms in this set (92)

Anatomy
Study the structure and form of organisms.

Examine the relationships among parts of the body as well as the structure of and composition of individual organs.
Physiology
Study of function of the body parts. Examine how organs and body systems function under normal circumstances, as well as how their functioning may be altered via medication or disease.

Physiologists examine the function of various organ systems, and they typically focus on the molecular or cellular level.

Thus, a basic knowledge of both chemistry and cells is essential in understanding physiology, and that's why we've included several early chapters on these topics.

Mastery of these early chapters on chemistry and cells is critical to understanding the physiologic concepts that are covered throughout the text.

The discipline of physiology parallels anatomy because it also is very broad and may be subdivided into smaller groups. Many specific physiology subdisciplines focus their studies on a particular body system.
• Cardiovascular physiology
• Neurophysiology
• Respiratory physiology
• Reproductive physiology
• Pathophysiology
The scientific method
Refers to a systematic and rigorous process by which scientists:
- Examine natural events (or phenomena) through observation
- Develop a hypothesis (possible explanation) for explaining these phenomena
- Experiment and test the hypothesis through the collection of data
- Determine if the data support the hypothesis, or if the hypothesis needs to be rejected or modified.
Microscopic anatomy
Examines structures that cannot be seen by the unaided eye.

For most of these studies, scientists prepare individual cells or thin slices of some part of the body and examine these specimens under the microscope.

Microscopic anatomy has several subdivisions with two main divisions:
• Cytology - is the study of body cells and their internal structure.
• Histology - is the study of tissues.
Gross anatomy
also called macroscopic anatomy, investigates the structure and relationships of body parts that are visible to the unaided eye, such as the intestines, stomach, brain, heart, and kidneys.

In these macroscopic investigations, specimens or their parts are often dissected (cut open) for examination. Gross anatomy may be approached in several ways:
- Systemic anatomy
- Regional anatomy
- Surface anatomy
- Comparative anatomy
- Embryology
Systemic anatomy
Systemic anatomy studies the anatomy of each functional body system.

For example, studying the urinary system would involve examining the kidneys (where urine is formed) and the organs of urine transport (ureters and urethra) and storage (urinary bladder).

Most undergraduate anatomy and physiology classes use this systemic approach.
Regional anatomy
Regional anatomy examines all of the structures in a particular region of the body as a complete unit.

For example, one may study the axillary (armpit) region of the body, and in so doing examine the blood vessels (axillary artery and vein), nerves (branches of the brachial plexus), lymph nodes (axillary lymph nodes), musculature, connective tissue, and skin.

Most medical school gross anatomy courses are taught using a regional anatomy approach.
Surface anatomy
Surface anatomy focuses on both superficial anatomic markings and the internal body structures that relate to the skin covering them.

Health-care providers use surface features to identify and locate important landmarks, such as pulse locations or the proper body region on which to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Most anatomy and physiology classes also instruct students on important surface anatomy locations.
Comparative anatomy
Comparative anatomy examines similarities and the differences in the anatomy of different species. For example, a comparative anatomy class may examine limb structure in humans, chimps, dogs, and cats.
Embryology
Embryology is the discipline concerned with developmental changes occurring from conception to birth.
Pathologic anatomy
examines all anatomic changes resulting from disease. Both gross anatomic changes and microscopic structures are examined.
Radiographic anatomy
investigates the relationships among internal structures that may be visualized by specific scanning procedures, such as sonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or x-ray. (See Clinical View: "Medical Imaging" at the end of this chapter.)
cardiovascular physiology
Cardiovascular physiology examines the functioning of the heart, blood vessels, and blood.

Cardiovascular physiologists examine how the heart pumps the blood, what are the parameters for healthy blood pressure, and details of the cellular exchange mechanisms by which respiratory gases, nutrients, and wastes move between blood and body structures.
Neurophysiology
examines how nerve impulses travel throughout the nervous system
respiratory physiology
studies how respiratory gases are transferred by gas exchange between the lungs and the blood vessels
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