HAP- I (Class Notes for B. Pharm. & B. Sc. MLT) DR.
CHANCHAL KUMAR MISHRA
HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY- I (THEORY)
DR. CHANCHAL KUMAR MISHRA
Assistant Professor, BIT Mesra
MODULE- 1: The anatomic and physiological organization of human body
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Introduction
Human anatomy is the scientific study of the body’s structures. Some of these
structures are very small and can only be observed and analyzed with the
assistance of a microscope. Other larger structures can readily be seen,
manipulated, measured, and weighed. The word “anatomy” comes from a Greek
root that means “to cut apart.” Human anatomy was first studied by observing the
exterior of the body and observing the wounds of soldiers and other injuries. Later,
physicians were allowed to dissect bodies of the dead to augment their knowledge.
When a body is dissected, its structures are cut apart in order to observe their
physical attributes and their relationships to one another. Dissection is still used in
medical schools, anatomy courses, and in pathology labs. In order to observe
structures in living people, however, a number of imaging techniques have been
developed. These techniques allow clinicians to visualize structures inside the
living body such as a cancerous tumor or a fractured bone.
Anatomists take two general approaches to the study of the body’s
structures: regional and systemic. Regional anatomy is the study of the
interrelationships of all of the structures in a specific body region, such as the
abdomen. Studying regional anatomy helps us appreciate the interrelationships of
body structures, such as how muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and other structures
work together to serve a particular body region. In contrast, systemic anatomy is
the study of the structures that make up a discrete body system—that is, a group of
structures that work together to perform a unique body function. For example, a
systemic anatomical study of the muscular system would consider all of the
skeletal muscles of the body.
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HAP- I (Class Notes for B. Pharm. & B. Sc. MLT) DR. CHANCHAL KUMAR MISHRA
Review Question:
1. Which of the following specialties might focus on studying of the structures
of the ankle and foot?
(A) Microscopy Anatomy
(B) Muscle Anatomy
(C) Regional Anatomy
(D) Systemic Anatomy
2. A scientist wants to study how the body uses foods and fluids during a
marathon run. This scientist is most likely a(n)…..
(A) Exercise Physiologist
(B) Microscopic Anatomist
(C) Regional Anatomy
(D) Systemic Anatomy
Answer: 1. (C) 2. (A)
Glossary
Anatomy:
Science that studies the form and composition of the body’s structures
Gross anatomy:
Study of the larger structures of the body, typically with the unaided eye;
also referred to macroscopic anatomy
Homeostasis:
Steady state of body systems that living organisms maintain
Microscopic anatomy:
Study of very small structures of the body using magnification
Physiology:
Science that studies the chemistry, biochemistry, and physics of the body’s
functions
Regional anatomy:
Study of the structures that contribute to specific body regions
Systemic anatomy:
Study of the structures that contribute to specific body systems
References:
[1] https://opentextbc.ca/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/1-1-overview-of-anatomy-and-physiology-2/
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HAP- I (Class Notes for B. Pharm. & B. Sc. MLT) DR. CHANCHAL KUMAR MISHRA
Anatomy and their Classification
Anatomy is the science of the structure of the body. When used without
qualification, the term is applied usually to human anatomy. The word is derived
indirectly from the Greek anatome, a term built from ana, meaning "up," and tome,
meaning "a cutting" (compare the words tome, microtome and epitome).
Anatomy, wrote Vesalius in the preface to his De Fabrica (1543), "should
rightly be regarded as the firm foundation of the whole art of medicine and its
essential preliminary." Moreover, the study of anatomy introduces the student to
the greater part of medical terminology.
Reference:
[2] https://www.dartmouth.edu/~humananatomy/part_1/chapter_1.html
Classification/ Branches of Human Anatomy
The human anatomy is divided into the following important branches:
Gross anatomy:
Gross anatomy is the study of macroscopic details of human body structure.
Because gross anatomy is concerned only with macroscopic details, therefore it
does not require the aid of any instrument. Generally gross anatomy is studied on
dead bodies because you cannot dissect a living human just to study anatomy;
therefore gross anatomy is also known as cadaveric anatomy.
There are two approaches to study gross anatomy: Systemic Approach and
Regional Approach. In systemic approach, human body is studied in different
systems and in regional approach, human body is studied in different regions. The
end result of both approaches is the same but generally for students of surgery,
regional approach is preferred.
Living Anatomy:
In living anatomy deals with the study of live human beings and not dead bodies.
Techniques to study living anatomy include palpation (a way of Physical
examinations; touché), percussion (the act or technique of tapping the surface of a
body part to learn the condition), auscultation (the act of listening to sounds arising
within organs; such as the lungs) etc.
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HAP- I (Class Notes for B. Pharm. & B. Sc. MLT) DR. CHANCHAL KUMAR MISHRA
Embryology:
Embryology is also known as developmental anatomy. It is concerned with the
study of development of an embryo from a single cell to a complete human being.
Embryology provides details of the prenatal and postnatal developmental changes
in the body and the mechanisms by which these changes occur.
Histology:
Histology is also known as microscopic anatomy. It deals with the study of
microscopic details of tissues that make human body.
Surface Anatomy:
As the named indicates, it is the anatomy of the surface of human body. It is also
known as topographic anatomy. Surface anatomy establishes a relation between
the internal structures of human body with its surface. It enables a medical
professional to locate the position of internal organs from surface of the body and
therefore it is very important for surgical operations.
Clinical Anatomy:
Clinical anatomy is the application of anatomical knowledge to clinical practice.
This branch is a more practical aspect of human anatomy and is of very important
for medical professionals.
References:
[3] https://www.mananatomy.com/basic-anatomy/branches-human-anatomy
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HAP- I (Class Notes for B. Pharm. & B. Sc. MLT) DR. CHANCHAL KUMAR MISHRA
ASSIGNMENT:
1. Define Anatomy.
2. Explain in short about regional and systemic anatomy.
3. Write short notes on:
a) Physiology
b) Homeostasis
4. Write in brief about Anatomy and classify the anatomy.
5. Classify the human anatomy in details.
6. Write notes on:
a) Gross anatomy
b) Living Anatomy
c) Embryology
d) Histology
7. Explain about the Topographic anatomy and clinical Anatomy
