BOOK REPORT

Book Report

Book Report

Introduction

This book report has been prepared on a book titled “Structure & Function of the Body -13th edition” by Gary A. Thibodeau PhD (Author) and Kevin T. Patton PhD (Author). Gary A. Thibodeau has been teaching anatomy and physiology for more than thirty years and the book under review shows his interest and level of commitment to education. Kevin T. Patton has also imparted knowledge of anatomy and physiology to his students with different backgrounds for the last thirty years. Due to the untiring efforts and diligent work, they succeeded in producing a text which is easier to comprehend by all students.

Discussion

Structure and Function of the Body

The book under review contains detailed description of the human body with regard to its structure and functions. Scientific study of the structure of any organism and relationships of its different parts with each other is known as anatomy (Thibodeau & Patton, 2007, pp. 1-17). Dissection is the main method which is used to study morphology of the different parts of human body. Scientific study of the functions of the living organisms and their parts is known as physiology. It is considered a dynamic science that requires active experimentation. In its simplest form, systemic and methodical approach to discovery is known as scientific method. A hypothesis is defined as a reasonable guess that is based upon informal observations and tested explanations noted and conducted in the past about the subject under review. Experimentation is the testing process of the hypothesis once it has been proposed. In order to avoid the possibility of error, all scientific experiments are required to be as simple as possible.

Organization is considered the most important feature of the structure of the body of human being. A living thing is also called an organism emphasizing the word organization. The smallest living unit of structure and function in human body is called a cell. Earlier cells were considered as the simplest units of living matter but they are now considered extremely complex in nature. Tissue is defined as an organization of many cells that perform together as a group to achieve a common function. Organ is defined as a group of multiple types of tissues that are arranged systemically allowing them to function as a unit to execute a specific function. A system is an organization of various types of organs that perform collectively to execute different complex functions for the human body.

Relationship of one area to the other with regard to its moves, position and posture is studied under anatomical position in which body as a whole assumes a specific position or a reference position. Position of various organs in the body in relation to each other and other structures is studied under anatomical directions.

In order to study any organ or the body as a whole, subdividing it into smaller segments facilitates the process and in this regard certain planes or sections are in use with special names as under:

Sagittal section is a lengthwise plane running from front to ...