Page 43 - Fundamentals of anatomy physiology
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30 Unit 1 Levels of Organization
1 term for each anatomical structure. For example, the tendo cal- how the transmission conveys this motion to the axles and
caneus (Latin) is also called the calcaneal tendon (English). wheels so that the car moves. Additionally, he or she might
You may know the structure better by its eponym, the Achilles also study the amount of power that the engine could gen-
tendon. E ponyms are not found in TA. We have used TA as our erate, the amount of force transmitted to the wheels in dif-
standard in preparing this text. ferent gears, and so on.
Checkpoint Our basic approach in this text will be to start with the
descriptive anatomy of body structures (appearance, size,
3. Define anatomy. shape, location, weight, and color) before considering the
4. Define physiology. related functions. Sometimes the group of organs that make
5. Describe medical terminology. up an organ system perform very diverse functions, and in
6. Define eponym. those cases we will consider the functions of each individual
7. Name the book that serves as the international organ separately. A good example is our discussion of the di-
gestive system. You will learn about the functions of the sali-
standard for anatomical vocabulary. vary glands in one section, and the functions of the tongue
in another. In other systems, the organs work together so ex-
See the blue Answers tab at the back of the book. tensively that we present an overall discussion of their physio
logy, after we describe the system’s anatomy. The lymphatic
1-3 Anatomy and physiology system and the cardiovascular system are examples of this
approach.
are closely integrated
Anatomy
Learning Outcome Explain the relationship between anatomy
and physiology, and describe various specialties of each discipline. How you look at things often determines what you see. You
get a very different view of your neighborhood from a satellite
Anatomy and physiology are closely integrated, both theoreti- photo than from your front yard. Similarly, your method of
cally and practically. Anatomical information provides clues observation has a dramatic effect on your understanding of the
about functions, and physiological processes can be explained structure of the human body. Based on the degree of structural
only in terms of the underlying anatomy. This is a very impor- detail being considered, we divide anatomy into gross (macro-
tant concept in living systems: scopic) anatomy and microscopic anatomy.
All specific functions are performed by specific structures, Gross Anatomy
and the form of a structure relates to its function. This is Gross anatomy, or macroscopic anatomy, involves examining
known as the principle of complementarity of structure and relatively large structures. Gross anatomy can be seen without
function. using a microscope and can involve the study of anatomy by
dissecting a cadaver. There are many different forms of gross
The link between structure and function is always present, anatomy:
but not always understood. For example, the anatomy of
the heart was clearly described in the 15th century, but al- Surface anatomy is the study of general form and superficial
most 200 years passed before the heart’s pumping action was
demonstrated. (toward the body surface) markings.
Anatomists and physiologists approach the relation- Regional anatomy focuses on the anatomical organization
ship between structure and function from different perspec-
tives. To understand the difference, suppose you asked an of specific areas of the body, such as the head, neck, or
anatomist and a physiologist to examine a pickup truck trunk. Many advanced courses in anatomy stress a regional
and report their findings. The anatomist might begin by approach, because it emphasizes the spatial relationships
measuring and photographing the various parts of the among structures already familiar to students.
truck and, if possible, taking it apart and putting it back to-
gether. The anatomist could then explain its key structural Systemic anatomy is the study of the structure of organ
relationships—for example, how the pistons are seated in
the engine cylinders, how the crankshaft is connected to the s ystems, which are groups of organs that function together
pistons, how the transmission links the drive shaft to the in a coordinated manner. Examples include the skeletal
axles, and thus to the wheels. The physiologist also would system, composed primarily of bones; the muscular system,
note the relationships among the truck’s parts, but he or she made up of skeletal muscles; and the cardiovascular system,
would focus mainly on its functional characteristics, such as consisting of the heart, blood, and vessels. We take a sys-
how the combustion of gasoline in the cylinders moves the temic anatomy approach in this book because this format
pistons up and down and makes the drive shaft rotate, and will better clarify the functional relationships among the
