HEM 704 BASIC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
OF HUMAN BODY
,HEM 704 BASIC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN BODY
Define what Anatomy is:
Define what physiology is:
Describe the various specialties of each discipline
Explain the relationship between anatomy & physiology
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Definition of anatomy and physiology
The word ‘anatomy; has Greek origin. A literal translation would be “a
cutting open” Anatomy is the study of internal and external structures of
the body and the physical relationships among body parts for example
studying how a particular muscle attaches to the skeleton while
physiology which also has Greek origin, is the study of how organisms
perform their vital functions. An example is the study of how a muscle
contract or what kind of forces contracting muscles exert on the
skeleton?
3.2 Relationship between anatomy and physiology
Anatomy and physiology are closely integrated both theoretically and
practically Anatomical information provides clues about probable
functions and physiological mechanisms can be explained only in terms
of the underlying anatomy. This observation leads to a very important
concept: All specific functions are performed by specific structures.
Anatomists and physiologists approach the relationship between
structure and function from different perspectives.
Please be attentive as we consider a simple non-biological analogy.
Assume that this class is made up of Anatomists and physiologists and
we are asked to consider an electric bulb. The anatomists may begin by
describing and measuring the shape of the bulb and if possible, take it
apart (“dissect it”) and put it back together. The physiologist could then
explain its key structural relationships.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
i. What basic functions do all living things perform?
ii. a) Define anatomy
b) Define physiology
3.3 Divisions of anatomy
Anatomy can be divided into different specialties based on:
2
,HEM 704 BASIC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN BODY
- Degree of structural detail under consideration
- Specific processes
- Medical application
On the basis of structural detail we have
(i) Microscopic Anatomy
(ii) Gross (Macroscopic Anatomy)
Microscopic anatomy
Microscopic anatomy deals with structures that cannot be seen without
magnification. The limits of the equipment’s used determine the
boundaries of microscopic anatomy. For example with a light
microscope, you can see basic details of cell structure, with an electron
microscope, you can see individual molecules that are only a few
nanometers a cross. It includes cytology and histology. As we go
through the course, we will consider details at all levels, from
macroscopic to microscopic.
Cytology is the analysis of the structure of individual cells, the simplest
units of life. Cells are composed of chemical substances in various
combinations, and our lives depend on the chemical processes occurring
in the trillion cells in the body. Histology is the examination of tissues
groups of specialized cells and cell products that work together to
perform specific functions, tissues combine to form organs, such as the
heart, kidney, liver or brain. Many organs are easily examined without a
microscopic anatomy by using gross anatomy.
Gross anatomy (Macroscopic anatomy) is the examination of
relatively large structures and features usually visible with the unaided
eye. There are many ways to approach gross anatomy:
- Surface anatomy; Study of general form and superficial
markings.
- Regional anatomy: focuses on anatomical organizational of
specific areas of the body, such as the head, neck or trunk
- Systemic anatomy: study of the structure of organ systems, such
as the skeletal system or the muscular system. Organ systems are
groups of organs that function together in a co-ordinate manner.
For example the heart, blood and blood vessels form the
cardiovascular system, which distributes oxygen and nutrients
through out the body. The human body has 11 organ systems, and
they will be introduced later in this course.
- Developmental anatomy: This deals with the changes in form that
occurs during the period between conception and physical
3
, HEM 704 BASIC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN BODY
maturity. The study of these early developmental processes is
called EMBRYOLOGY.
Other anatomical specialties with focus on clinical settings include:
(a) Mechanical anatomy (anatomical features that change during
illness).
(b) Radiographic anatomy (anatomical structures as seen by using
specialized imaging techniques.
(c) Surgical anatomy (anatomical landmarks important in surgery).
3.4 Divisions of physiology
As you learnt earlier, physiology is the study of the function of
anatomical structures. Human physiology is the study of the functions of
the human body. These functions are complex and much more difficult
to examine than most anatomical structures. As a result, there are even
more specialties in physiology than in anatomy, which includes:
i. Cell physiology: This is the cornerstone of human physiology; it
is the study of the functions of cells. It deals with events at the
chemical and molecular levels.
ii. Special physiology: this is the study of the physiology of special
organs. For example, renal physiology is the study of kidney
function.
iii. Systemic physiology: includes all aspects of the function of
specific organ systems; cardiovascular physiology, respiratory
physiology and reproductive physiology are examples of
systemic physiology.
iv. Patho-physiology is the study of the effects of diseases on organ
or system functions (pathos is the Greek word for “disease”).
Modern medicine depends on an understanding of both normal
physiology and patho-physiology
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
i. Name the factors that determine the divisions of anatomy.
ii. The analysis of cell structure is called what?
iii. Define cell physiology.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Physicians normally use a combination of anatomical and psychological
information when they evaluate patients.
4
OF HUMAN BODY
,HEM 704 BASIC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN BODY
Define what Anatomy is:
Define what physiology is:
Describe the various specialties of each discipline
Explain the relationship between anatomy & physiology
3.0 MAIN CONTENT
3.1 Definition of anatomy and physiology
The word ‘anatomy; has Greek origin. A literal translation would be “a
cutting open” Anatomy is the study of internal and external structures of
the body and the physical relationships among body parts for example
studying how a particular muscle attaches to the skeleton while
physiology which also has Greek origin, is the study of how organisms
perform their vital functions. An example is the study of how a muscle
contract or what kind of forces contracting muscles exert on the
skeleton?
3.2 Relationship between anatomy and physiology
Anatomy and physiology are closely integrated both theoretically and
practically Anatomical information provides clues about probable
functions and physiological mechanisms can be explained only in terms
of the underlying anatomy. This observation leads to a very important
concept: All specific functions are performed by specific structures.
Anatomists and physiologists approach the relationship between
structure and function from different perspectives.
Please be attentive as we consider a simple non-biological analogy.
Assume that this class is made up of Anatomists and physiologists and
we are asked to consider an electric bulb. The anatomists may begin by
describing and measuring the shape of the bulb and if possible, take it
apart (“dissect it”) and put it back together. The physiologist could then
explain its key structural relationships.
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 1
i. What basic functions do all living things perform?
ii. a) Define anatomy
b) Define physiology
3.3 Divisions of anatomy
Anatomy can be divided into different specialties based on:
2
,HEM 704 BASIC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN BODY
- Degree of structural detail under consideration
- Specific processes
- Medical application
On the basis of structural detail we have
(i) Microscopic Anatomy
(ii) Gross (Macroscopic Anatomy)
Microscopic anatomy
Microscopic anatomy deals with structures that cannot be seen without
magnification. The limits of the equipment’s used determine the
boundaries of microscopic anatomy. For example with a light
microscope, you can see basic details of cell structure, with an electron
microscope, you can see individual molecules that are only a few
nanometers a cross. It includes cytology and histology. As we go
through the course, we will consider details at all levels, from
macroscopic to microscopic.
Cytology is the analysis of the structure of individual cells, the simplest
units of life. Cells are composed of chemical substances in various
combinations, and our lives depend on the chemical processes occurring
in the trillion cells in the body. Histology is the examination of tissues
groups of specialized cells and cell products that work together to
perform specific functions, tissues combine to form organs, such as the
heart, kidney, liver or brain. Many organs are easily examined without a
microscopic anatomy by using gross anatomy.
Gross anatomy (Macroscopic anatomy) is the examination of
relatively large structures and features usually visible with the unaided
eye. There are many ways to approach gross anatomy:
- Surface anatomy; Study of general form and superficial
markings.
- Regional anatomy: focuses on anatomical organizational of
specific areas of the body, such as the head, neck or trunk
- Systemic anatomy: study of the structure of organ systems, such
as the skeletal system or the muscular system. Organ systems are
groups of organs that function together in a co-ordinate manner.
For example the heart, blood and blood vessels form the
cardiovascular system, which distributes oxygen and nutrients
through out the body. The human body has 11 organ systems, and
they will be introduced later in this course.
- Developmental anatomy: This deals with the changes in form that
occurs during the period between conception and physical
3
, HEM 704 BASIC ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF HUMAN BODY
maturity. The study of these early developmental processes is
called EMBRYOLOGY.
Other anatomical specialties with focus on clinical settings include:
(a) Mechanical anatomy (anatomical features that change during
illness).
(b) Radiographic anatomy (anatomical structures as seen by using
specialized imaging techniques.
(c) Surgical anatomy (anatomical landmarks important in surgery).
3.4 Divisions of physiology
As you learnt earlier, physiology is the study of the function of
anatomical structures. Human physiology is the study of the functions of
the human body. These functions are complex and much more difficult
to examine than most anatomical structures. As a result, there are even
more specialties in physiology than in anatomy, which includes:
i. Cell physiology: This is the cornerstone of human physiology; it
is the study of the functions of cells. It deals with events at the
chemical and molecular levels.
ii. Special physiology: this is the study of the physiology of special
organs. For example, renal physiology is the study of kidney
function.
iii. Systemic physiology: includes all aspects of the function of
specific organ systems; cardiovascular physiology, respiratory
physiology and reproductive physiology are examples of
systemic physiology.
iv. Patho-physiology is the study of the effects of diseases on organ
or system functions (pathos is the Greek word for “disease”).
Modern medicine depends on an understanding of both normal
physiology and patho-physiology
SELF-ASSESSMENT EXERCISE 2
i. Name the factors that determine the divisions of anatomy.
ii. The analysis of cell structure is called what?
iii. Define cell physiology.
4.0 CONCLUSION
Physicians normally use a combination of anatomical and psychological
information when they evaluate patients.
4
