University of Miami Human Anatomy Notes
Course: HCS 212 Human Anatomy
Focus: Body compartments, skeletal structures, musculature, blood vessels, and
internal organs
1. Introduction to Anatomy
Anatomy is the study of body structure and how body parts are organized. In HCS
212, the main goal is to identify major structures in each body compartment and
understand how they relate to function.
Key terms:
- Superior: toward the head.
- Inferior: toward the feet.
- Anterior: toward the front.
- Posterior: toward the back.
- Medial: toward the midline.
- Lateral: away from the midline.
- Proximal: closer to the trunk.
- Distal: farther from the trunk.
2. Body Cavities and Compartments
Major cavities:
- Cranial cavity: houses the brain.
- Vertebral cavity: houses the spinal cord.
- Thoracic cavity: contains heart and lungs.
- Abdominal cavity: contains digestive organs.
- Pelvic cavity: contains bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.
3. Skeletal System
Functions:
- Support.
- Protection.
- Movement.
- Mineral storage.
- Blood cell formation.
Bone types:
- Long bones: femur, humerus.
- Short bones: carpals, tarsals.
- Flat bones: skull bones, ribs, sternum.
- Irregular bones: vertebrae.
- Sesamoid bones: patella.
4. Muscular System
Muscle types:
- Skeletal muscle: voluntary, attached to bones.
- Smooth muscle: involuntary, found in organs.
- Cardiac muscle: found in the heart.
Important concepts:
- Origin: less movable attachment.
- Insertion: more movable attachment.
- Action: movement produced by a muscle.
5. Cardiovascular System
Main components:
- Heart: pumps blood.
- Arteries: carry blood away from the heart.
- Veins: carry blood toward the heart.
Course: HCS 212 Human Anatomy
Focus: Body compartments, skeletal structures, musculature, blood vessels, and
internal organs
1. Introduction to Anatomy
Anatomy is the study of body structure and how body parts are organized. In HCS
212, the main goal is to identify major structures in each body compartment and
understand how they relate to function.
Key terms:
- Superior: toward the head.
- Inferior: toward the feet.
- Anterior: toward the front.
- Posterior: toward the back.
- Medial: toward the midline.
- Lateral: away from the midline.
- Proximal: closer to the trunk.
- Distal: farther from the trunk.
2. Body Cavities and Compartments
Major cavities:
- Cranial cavity: houses the brain.
- Vertebral cavity: houses the spinal cord.
- Thoracic cavity: contains heart and lungs.
- Abdominal cavity: contains digestive organs.
- Pelvic cavity: contains bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.
3. Skeletal System
Functions:
- Support.
- Protection.
- Movement.
- Mineral storage.
- Blood cell formation.
Bone types:
- Long bones: femur, humerus.
- Short bones: carpals, tarsals.
- Flat bones: skull bones, ribs, sternum.
- Irregular bones: vertebrae.
- Sesamoid bones: patella.
4. Muscular System
Muscle types:
- Skeletal muscle: voluntary, attached to bones.
- Smooth muscle: involuntary, found in organs.
- Cardiac muscle: found in the heart.
Important concepts:
- Origin: less movable attachment.
- Insertion: more movable attachment.
- Action: movement produced by a muscle.
5. Cardiovascular System
Main components:
- Heart: pumps blood.
- Arteries: carry blood away from the heart.
- Veins: carry blood toward the heart.
