Maggie Norris - Anatomy and Physiology For Dummies

Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies, 2nd Edition

by Maggie Norris and Donna Rae Siegfried

Anatomy & Physiology For Dummies, 2nd Edition

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Copyright 2011 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2011926193

ISBN: 978-0-470-92326-9

Manufactured in the United States of America

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About the Authors

Maggie Norris is a freelance science writer living in the San Francisco Bay area. As Fine Print Publication Services LLC, Maggie offers contract medical and technical writing services to clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical technology industries; patient care institutions; and research institutions.

Donna Rae Siegfried has written about pharmaceutical and medical topics for 15 years in publications including Prevention, Runners World, Mens Health, and Organic Gardening. She has taught anatomy and physiology at the college level. She is also the coauthor of Biology For Dummies, 2nd Edition.

Dedication

To Susan.

Maggie Norris

Publishers Acknowledgments

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Introduction

C ongratulations on your decision to study human anatomy and physiology. The knowledge you gain from your study is of value in many aspects of your life.

Begin with the most obvious: the social value of this knowledge. Human anatomy and physiology is always a suitable topic of discussion in social situations because it allows people to talk about their favorite subject (themselves) in a not-too-personal way. Thus, some particularly interesting detail of anatomy and physiology is an ideal conversation opener with attractive strangers or horrifying shirt-tail relatives. (First, though, be completely clear in your mind about the boundary between scientific anatomy and physiology on the one hand and personal clinical details on the other.) Choose the specific topic carefully to be sure of having your intended effect. For example, telling a young boy that he has the same density of hair follicles on his body as a chimp does will probably please him. Telling his teenage sister the same thing may alienate her. Use this power carefully!

A little background in anatomy and physiology should be considered a valuable part of anyones education. Health and medical matters are part of world events and peoples daily lives. Basic knowledge of anatomy and physiology gets you started when trying to make sense of the news about epidemics, novel drugs and medical devices, and purported environmental hazards, to name just a few examples. Everyone has a problem with some aspect of his or her anatomy and physiology at some point, and this knowledge can help you be a better parent, spouse, care-giver, neighbor, friend, or colleague.