Anatomy & PhysiologyThe Human Body: An Orientation

Introduction:Anatomy: the study of structure and shape of the body (and its parts) and their relationship to each other.

Physiology: (physio= nature; ology= study of) the study of the function of the body and its parts.

These compliment each other and allow us to study the body’s structures and functions.

Levels of Structural Organization (of Humans):

Atoms (building blocks of matter; combine to make molecules)

Cells (smallest unit of life)

Tissues (groups of similar cells performing a common function)

Organs (groups of tissues working together for a specific function)

Organ Systems (groups of organs working collectively for a greater good)

Organism

Levels of Structural Organization (of Humans):

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Organ System Overview:Integumentary System: skin; provides

protection, waterproofing, and cushioning; excretes waste; regulates temperate; contains temperature, pain & pressure receptors.

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Skeletal System: bones, cartilage, ligaments, & joints. Provides framework and supports body; with muscles, allows movement; protects organs; forms blood cells; stores minerals

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Muscular System: Muscles. Movement and transport substances throughout the body

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Nervous System: Brain, spinal cord, nerves, & receptors. Respond to stimuli and activate muscles or glands.

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Endocrine System: Glands (pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenals, pancreas, thymus, ovaries, testes, & pineal) and hormones. Regulate bodily functions such as growth, metabolism, and reproduction.

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Cardiovascular System: Heart & blood vessels. Transports fluid, oxygen, and waste throughout the body.

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Lymphatic System: Lymph Nodes, Lymph Vessels, Tonsils, Thymus, Appendix, & Spleen. Clean blood of impurities; help with immunity. http://www.google.com/imgres

Respiratory System: Nasal passages pharynx larynx trachea bronchi lungs. Functions in gas exchange.

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Digestive System: Mouth esophagus stomach small then large intestine rectum; accessory organs include liver, gallbladder, and pancreas. Functions in breaking down food into nutrients for the absorption into the blood.

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Urinary System: Kidneys, ureters, bladder, & urethra. Functions in filtering nitrogenous waste from the blood (creates urea), maintains body’s water and salt balance, regulates body’s blood pressure, and acid-base balance.

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Reproductive System: Function is to produce offspring. Male includes testis, penis, and duct system; female includes ovaries, uterus, and duct system.

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Maintaining Life:There are 8 characteristics that maintain, or enable, life.Maintaining boundaries: separation

of life from outside environment (from a cell membrane to skin)

Movement: internal & externalResponsiveness: sense the

environment and react to it accordingly

Digestion: break down food

Metabolism: all chemical reactions within the body: decomposition (break down) and synthesis (build up)

Excretion: removal of wastesReproduction: produce more like

self (this can occur on the cellular level for growth, maintenance, and repair)

Growth: increase in size

Survival Needs:There are 5 survival needs, or requirements for life:Nutrients: foodOxygen: needed to break down food

(releases energy from food)Water: transports, regulates, & needed for

chemical reactions (most abundant chemical in our bodies)

Normal Body Temperature: determines rate of reactions

Atmospheric Pressure: force exerted on body by weight of air (enables gas exchange)

Homeostasis:Homeostasis is the body’s

ability to maintain a stable internal environment (temp., bp).

Homeo = same; stasis = stand still

There are 2 types of control: Negative & Positive Feedback Mechanisms.

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The Language of Anatomy:Superior: above, or

toward the head (cranial)

Inferior: below, or away from the head (caudal)

Ventral: front of the body (anterior)

Dorsal: backside (behind) of the body (posterior)

Medial: middleLateral: outer side of

bodyProximal: close to

the origin point of attachment to a limb

Distal: farther from the point of attachment to a limb

Superficial: surface

Body Planes & Sections:Sagittal

Section: cutting the body lengthwise

Median (midsagittal) Section: sagittal section that is equal

Frontal Section: cutting the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Section: (a.k.a. cross section) cutting the body into superior & inferior sections

Median: Frontal: Transverse:

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Body Cavities:Dorsal Cavity:

◦ Cranial Cavity: skull & brain

◦ Spinal Cavity: spinal cord & backbone (vertebrate)

Ventral Cavity:

◦ Thoracic Cavity: upper part of trunk

◦ Abdominopelvic Cavity: lower trunk

The ventral cavity is separated by the diaphragm (thin muscle).

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Ventral Cavity:Thoracic Cavity:

The mediastinum separates the left & right sides (separates the lungs).

The viscera: lungs, heart, espohagus, trachea, & thymus gland (all except lungs are w/in mediastinum).

Abdominopelvic Cavity:

This is from the diaphragm to the pelvic floor.

Contains 2 cavities: Abdominal Cavity

(below diaphragm): viscera: stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, gall bladder, and small & large intestines (majority)

Pelvic Cavity (above diaphragm): viscera: large intestines (lower end), bladder, & reproductive organs

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Other Body Cavities:

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Nasal Cavity: nose, nasal septum & sinuses (frontal & sphenoidal)

Oral & Digestive Cavities: teeth & tongue

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Middle Ear Cavities: middle ear bones

Orbital Cavities: eyes, eye muscles, & nerves

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