MEDICINE STUDY NOTES
Medicine is the study of the human body, disease mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and
prevention. It integrates anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, clinical
medicine, surgery, and public health. The goal is to produce competent physicians who can
diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent illnesses effectively.
1. HUMAN ANATOMY
Anatomy focuses on the structure of the human body.
Levels of Organization
1. Cell – Basic structural/functional unit
2. Tissue – Groups of cells with similar function
3. Organ – Structures performing specific functions
4. System – Groups of organs working together
Major Body Systems
• Skeletal
• Muscular
• Nervous
• Cardiovascular
• Respiratory
• Digestive
• Urinary
• Reproductive
• Endocrine
• Immune/lymphatic
Important Anatomy Concepts
, • Planes: Sagittal, coronal, transverse
• Directional terms: Anterior/posterior, medial/lateral
• Major bones: Skull, femur, humerus, vertebrae
• Major organs: Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys
Exams often ask about nerve pathways, blood supply, bone landmarks, and muscle attachments.
2. PHYSIOLOGY
Physiology explains how the body functions.
Homeostasis
The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external change. Regulated by:
• Negative feedback (most common)
• Positive feedback (rare: childbirth, blood clotting)
Cardiovascular Physiology
• Heart has four chambers
• Blood flow order: RA → RV → Lungs → LA → LV → Body
• Cardiac cycle: systole (contraction), diastole (relaxation)
• Blood pressure = cardiac output × peripheral resistance
Respiratory Physiology
• Gas exchange occurs in alveoli
• Oxygen transport depends on hemoglobin
• CO₂ mainly transported as bicarbonate
Renal Physiology
Medicine is the study of the human body, disease mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment, and
prevention. It integrates anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, microbiology, clinical
medicine, surgery, and public health. The goal is to produce competent physicians who can
diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent illnesses effectively.
1. HUMAN ANATOMY
Anatomy focuses on the structure of the human body.
Levels of Organization
1. Cell – Basic structural/functional unit
2. Tissue – Groups of cells with similar function
3. Organ – Structures performing specific functions
4. System – Groups of organs working together
Major Body Systems
• Skeletal
• Muscular
• Nervous
• Cardiovascular
• Respiratory
• Digestive
• Urinary
• Reproductive
• Endocrine
• Immune/lymphatic
Important Anatomy Concepts
, • Planes: Sagittal, coronal, transverse
• Directional terms: Anterior/posterior, medial/lateral
• Major bones: Skull, femur, humerus, vertebrae
• Major organs: Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys
Exams often ask about nerve pathways, blood supply, bone landmarks, and muscle attachments.
2. PHYSIOLOGY
Physiology explains how the body functions.
Homeostasis
The maintenance of stable internal conditions despite external change. Regulated by:
• Negative feedback (most common)
• Positive feedback (rare: childbirth, blood clotting)
Cardiovascular Physiology
• Heart has four chambers
• Blood flow order: RA → RV → Lungs → LA → LV → Body
• Cardiac cycle: systole (contraction), diastole (relaxation)
• Blood pressure = cardiac output × peripheral resistance
Respiratory Physiology
• Gas exchange occurs in alveoli
• Oxygen transport depends on hemoglobin
• CO₂ mainly transported as bicarbonate
Renal Physiology
