Define anatomy and physiology
Anatomy is the study of the structure of the human body.
Physiology is the study of the function of how organisms perform vital activities.
Identify the major levels of organization in organisms, from the simplest to the most complex.
1. The chemical, or molecular level
2. The cellular level
3. The tissue level
4. The organ level
5. The organ system level
6. The organism level
Directional terms:
1. Anterior or ventral
The front or before
e.g. the naval is on the anterior surface of the trunk
2. Posterior or dorsal
The back or behind
e.g. the shoulder is located posterior to the rib cage
3. Superior
Above or at a higher level (toward the head)
e.g. the eyes are superior to the nose
4. Inferior
Below or at a lower level
e.g. the knees are inferior to the hips
5. Medial
In the middle of
e.g. The heart is medial to the lungs
6. lateral
Away from
e.g. The lungs are lateral to the heart
7. Proximal
Toward an attached base
e.g. The thigh is proximal to the foot; moving proximally from the wrist brings you to the elbow
8. Distal
Away from an attached base
e.g. the fingers are distal to the wrist
9. Superficial
At, near or relatively close to the body surface
e.g. the skin is superficial to underlying structures