Human Anatomy Essay

Anatomy

Anatomy refers to the science of the whole body structure and function. In deepen the study; anatomy lays more emphasis to the understanding of the formation of a living organism. The body shape is brought into form by a complex skeletal structure which provides the basis for support and movement. The body, in general, involves anatomy, histology, physiology, and physiology. Human anatomy varies in many aspects affected by both environmental and genetically influenced traits. These factors dictate the difference among us. In this lab session, we shall exploit more and enhance our understanding of our complex anatomy dedicate every function to various body organs to bring a coordinated service of the whole body as a unit.

Physiology

To understand this complexity, various studies such as physiology, histology, and embryology have been useful. Physiology majorly focuses on body systems and how they perform their function. This study has been an area of career to many individuals such as anatomists, physiologists and researchers forming a large community of health professionals. These complex body systems undergo a series of growth and development from the embryonic stage to maturity a process often referred to as aging. For instance, a human skeleton goes through a process of evolution to perform its primary function of support and movement.

Introduction

Within the laboratory there exist various aspects which could be as harmful to students as any other situation. In this regard observing safety in any lab process is a radical agenda. This is also sensitized students that laboratory is the safest place to work when all the safety guidelines to be followed. General safety issues like avoiding eating, smoke, applying cosmetics and drinking are highly prohibited. Long earrings, ties, and hair should be secured. Avoid placing pens or any other substance to the mouth as this could lead to poisoning. Lab coats should always be won while in the lab to avoid being contaminated and these attires should not be taken outside the lab. Always ensure to be in closed shoes to protect from injury from sharp objects such as broken glass, dangerous chemicals, and acid reagents.

Laboratory Safety

When handling concentrated reagents or those under pressure, working in an environment with ultraviolet radiations always remember to wear goggles to protect the eye. Contact lenses are discouraged as gas vapors may buildup resulting to permanent eye damage. This becomes more complicated in situations of eye splash as it is impossible to remove the contact glass to splash the eye. Extra care should be observed when handling patient samples as they are classified as biohazardous compounds.

Chemical Safety

Every student in the lab should be alerted on the symbols on various harmful chemicals to avoid unintended poisoning due to lack of exposure. Toxic materials should be well marked with a special tape and placed aside when used with other compounds. Concentrated acids and alkali spills should be neutralized using spill bucket material. In case of spillage to the human tissue, it should be washed generously with plenty of water and ensure it reported to the respective supervisor for an appropriate action to be taken.

Human Anatomy

A healthy skeleton structure builds human anatomy made up of bones and cartilages which are surrounded by muscles, fats, organs and other structures to achieve a unified function. At the back of the skeleton, muscle exists the spine which is made up of vertebral column protecting the spinal cord. The nerves which are contained in the spinal cord perform an essential role of coordination between the brain and the rest of the body. The blood functioning like connective tissue achieves the nourishment throughout the body. The movement of the blood is as a result of the continuous pumping by the heart. The veins collect blood with low oxygen concentration from various tissues all over the body to the lung for purification. After which it is brought back to the heart through the left inlets. It is pumped by the largest arteries, known as the aorta from where it is pumped to smaller arteries to ensure it reaches all body tissues. The blood functions as the transporting medium carrying oxygen, waste products, hormones and other compounds to and from all body parts.

Histology

Histology refers to the study microscopic biological materials and the way in which these materials are structurally and functionally related. This branch is essential to medical science by linking biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology and the effects of these structures in the disease-causing process (Marieb & Hoehn, 2007). These microscopic compounds can easily be obtained from human bodies through the use of needles, use of endoscopic tubes to alimentary canal among many other processes to facilitate their understanding while understanding the rise of a particular unknown disease. Advances in this field have resulted in several breakthroughs to enhance the study of the microorganisms. The invention of microscopes enabled the ease to view these compounds to improve their appearances and differences among the compounds. Introduction of a simple light lens came with the technique of slicing biological compounds to make them suitable for viewing and examination.

Tissues

At this level, cells were studied and grouped regarding their similarity in morphology and characteristics forming tissues. These were further classified into epithelial tissues found majorly on body cavities, muscular tissues with contractile characteristics, nervous tissue collectively forming the brain and connective tissues which link other tissues such as the bones and fatty tissues.

Lab Activities

Various activities were carried out in the lab such as studying multiple parts of the body and classifying them depending on which part of the body was examined. For instance, the posterior general view student named parts such as the umbilical cord, the palmer, abdominal, the sternal thoracic among many more. The anterior parts students learned of terms such as the scapular, dorsal, vertebra, and lumbar, caudal among others. On the anterior face, the students named parts such as the nasal, buccal, oral, and orbital. At the posterior regions of the body, students identified elements such as femoral, digital, rural, and inguinal. Along the posterior areas of the foot, we identified parts such as planter, fedal, fibular and the tarsals. We also went through multiple choice questions with ready answers majorly concerning various body parts and talking about the cells, tissues, organs and organ systems their relationships and functions.

Organ Systems

We were also exposed to x-ray images to enhance our understanding of the human body at more different angles. Multiple choice questions with ready answers also accompanied these. There was also the study on organ systems a situation whereby more than one organ is working together to achieve a specific function. Various examples were given for example the reproductive system which involves set of multiple organs such as the clitoris, penis, testes, ovaries, vagina, prostate glands, vulva, and scrotum among others all organs function together to achieve the reproductive role. These activities aimed at introducing students to various anatomical terms and also to add the words concerning the ideal human model to enhance memory and genetic correlation. These activities were coordinated by our lab technician answering all sorts of questions students could raise to help them develop interest and also grasp the needed information. Since these studies involved human models, we were able to relate with our bodies to enhance further understanding.

Anatomy and Organ Systems

The central theme of this practice was to make the student understand the anatomy into details using them indirectly as the primary specimen. The concept of human anatomy is a broad but most exciting topic. Through the use of summaries and tables, this concept can be made accessible for students to interact with and develop more interest. Examining these issues one by one, for example, studying each organ on its own may prove complex. Combining this into organ systems makes the concept simple and more understandable. This can be brought down to study of anatomy and organ system.

Discussion

The body is made of numerous numbers of cells performing a specific function. A group of cells playing a particular role within an organism is called tissues. A collection of tissues within the body with the capability of working together to ensure a specific function is achieved are known as organs (Solomon & Davis, 1979). These organs can work together in providing a particular role is completed are referred to an organ system. This association is crucial in ensuring that an organism survives and carries out its daily activities because every single unit within the cell is performing their functions.

Body Systems

Various systems within the human body work together through interactions with one another to function correctly. For instance, the skeletal and muscular systems work together to bring about body shape and movement. The primary function of the skeleton is to protect the internal organs and the framework. The skeleton has a series of cartilages that links it to the muscular tissues. For movement to occur, the muscles contraction must occur which finally combine with the bones resulting to either a jump or walk. Muscle contraction also leads to the production of body temperature and posture.

Digestive System

Digestive system also involves many other organs which work together for a common goal. Digestion consists of the breakdown of food into molecules which can be used by the body. This involves chewing of food in the mouth by the teeth, in the stomach, the pancreas produces bile for further digestion the small intestines aids absorption. The absorbed products are taken to the liver for detoxification through the blood. Fibers and indigestible food molecules travel through the colon to the rectum for excretion. The kidney purifies the blood by eliminating waste products to form urine which flows to the urinary bladder.

Cardiovascular System

The cardiovascular system involves the heart pumping the oxygenated blood from the lungs supplying oxygen to all cells in various parts of the body and disposes of their waste products back for purification. The inhaled air passes through nasal cavities where they are warmed and moisturized to the alveoli where gaseous exchange occurs.

Skin and Nervous System

The skin is among the largest organs of the body. The primary function of the skin is body defense, protecting the underlying body tissues and cells from pathogens and mechanical damage among others. Other essential functions involve the regulation of body temperature, and it harbors many nerves making it responsive to touch, pain, and pressure. The skin is connected to the central nervous system made up of the brain and the spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system involves all the nerves connecting all other body functions to the brain. The skin and the brain work together through a complex series of nervous connections. For instance, when body temperatures are so high, the receptors on the skin send a message to the hypothalamus part of the brain which commands the blood vessels to vasodilate increasing blood flow near the surface resulting in cooling and also makes the hair follicles lie flat on the skin enhancing heat loss. The skin and the cardiovascular system work together in regulating the level of hydration in the body tissues. When the cardiovascular system faces a low fluid situation; the skin sacrifices its natural resilience forming a tent if pinched in order to supply the fluids to the cardiovascular system. For the normal functioning of the body, various organs work together building complex systems. Other organ systems include the reproductive system, endocrine system, nervous system, and circulatory.

References

Marieb, E. N., & Hoehn, K. (2007). Human anatomy & physiology. Pearson Education.

Solomon, E. P., & Davis, P. W. (1979). Understanding Human Anatomy and Physiology. AJN The American Journal of Nursing, 79(5), 988.