Introduction to Human
Anatomy& Physiology
ANATOMY - the study of the structure
(morphology, form) of body parts.

Histology - the microscopic study of
tissues.

Cytology - the microscopic study of cells.
PHYSIOLOGY - the study of the
function of body parts.
Life Processes Distinguish Living
from Non-Living Things.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Movement
Responsiveness
Growth
Reproduction
Respiration
Digestion
Absorption
Circulation
Assimilation
Excretion
Mental Mapping (use characteristics
to categorize the following)
•
•
•
•
•
I am walking to McDonalds Movement
Responsiveness
I stop at the traffic light
I am getting taller Growth
Respiration
I am breathing air
I get a hamburger and eat it Digestion
• My body absorbs nutrients from hamburger
Absorption
• The nutrients I absorbed from hamburger is
turned into things my body needs Assimilation
• Eventually I go to the restroom Excretion
• Someday I may reproduce Reproduction
Environmental Needs





Nutrients for energy
Oxygen for cellular respiration
Water for most metabolic reactions,
lubrication, etc…
Heat to maintain 37C body
temperature, enzyme action
Pressure for breathing and filtering
blood through kidneys
HOMEOSTASIS
The tendency of an organism to maintain a
stable internal environment.
All life processes and metabolic reactions work to
maintain homeostasis.
Most homeostatic mechanisms are regulated by
negative feedback (system acts to oppose changes)
Example - maintenance of body temperature at
98.6F/37C.
3 Components
of homeostatic
mechanism:
3 Components
of homeostatic
mechanism:
1. Thermoreceptors
2. Hypothalamus
3. Skin blood vessels,
Sweat glands,
Heart, Lungs.
Structural Levels of Organization
The atom (i.e. C, H, O) is the least
complex level; the smallest particle of an
element.
Atoms combine with one another to form…
Molecules (i.e. CO2, H2O);
 Molecules combine with another to form…
Macromolecules (i.e. carbohydrates,
lipids, proteins, nucleic acids);
Macromolecules combine to form…
Organelles (i.e. cell membrane,
nucleus, ribosome); small organs of a
cell, each with a particular function;
Organelles collectively compose…
Cells (i.e. skin cell, muscle cell, neuron);
The cell is the basic unit of structure and
function of living things!
Similar cells are arranged into…
Tissues (i.e. epithelia, connective,
muscle, nervous);
Two or more tissues combine to form…
Organs (i.e. skin, heart, brain);
Two or more organs combine to form…
Organ systems (i.e. integumentary,
cardiovascular),
The eleven organ systems collectively
form the…
The human organism; the most
complex level of organization.
Divisions of the Human
Body
• Axial Portion
Head
Neck
Trunk
Appendicular Portion
Arms
Legs
Axial Portion is divided into 2 major
cavities. (organs within these cavities
are referred to as viscera.)
2 Divisions of Axial Portion of the Body
• Dorsal Cavity
• Subdivided into
2 parts
Cranial
Cavity
Vertebral
Cavity
Ventral Cavity
Subdivided int0
2 parts
Thoracic
cavity
Abdominopelvic Cavity
Separated by diaphragm
Body Cavities
Figure 1.9a
Body Cavities
Figure 1.9b
Cranial Cavity
•Brain
Vertebral Cavity
•Spinal Cord
Thoracic Cavity
•Lungs
•Mediasitum - separates thorax into right and
left sides
•Heart
•Esophagus
•Trachea
•Thymus gland
Abdominopelvic Cavity
• Stomach
• Liver
• Spleen
Abdominal Region
• Gall bladder
• Small and large intestines
• Rectum/Anus
• Urinary bladder
• Internal reproductive organs
Pelvic Region
1.
1
Ventral
cavity
3.
4. Pleural
cavity
Vertebral cavity
4.
3
2. Dorsal
cavity
5.
2
5.
6.
7.
6.
9.
8.
7.
10. Ventral
cavity
Serous Membranes of the Ventral
Body Cavity
Membrane - a soft, thin pliable layer of
tissue that either:
 Covers a vital (visceral organ) = Visceral
membrane.
 Lines a body cavity = Parietal Membrane.
There is a space between a visceral and parietal
membrane into which SEROUS fluid is secreted
for lubrication.
Cardi = Heart
Serous Membranes of the Heart
The membrane on the surface of the heart is called
visceral pericardium.
The membrane that lines the cavity in which
the heart is located is called the parietal
pericardium.
The space between these two membranes is
called the pericardial cavity, and it is filled
with serous fluid.
Serous Membranes
Pleur = lung
Serous Membranes of the Lungs
The membrane on the surface of the lung is called
visceral pleura.
The membrane that lines the cavity in which the
lungs are located is called parietal pleura.
The space between these two membranes is
called the pleural cavity, and it is filled with
serous fluid.
Serous Membranes
Serous Membranes of the
Abdominal Organs:
The membrane on the surface of the liver,
stomach, etc. is called visceral
peritoneum.
The membrane that lines the abdominal
cavity is called parietal peritoneum.
The space between these two membranes is
called the peritoneal cavity, and it is filled
with serous fluid
Ventral Body Cavity Membranes
Comparable to parietal
peritoneum
Comparable to visceral
peritoneum
Figure 1.10a
Serous Membranes
Anatomical Terminology
Definition - a language used to describe the relative
position of body parts; needed for communication.
• Anatomical position - standing erect, face forward,
palms forward
• It is helpful in as much as they allow medical staff to
speak to each other and view images (X-ray or MRI)
without having to continuously clarify meanings.
Terms Referring to
Direction/Relative Position
1. Superior = above; Inferior = below;
2. Anterior = front; Posterior = back;
3. Medial = Center; Lateral = side;
4. Cephalad = head; Caudal = tail;
5. Ventral = front; Dorsal = back
6. Proximal = closer to trunk of body or other
point of reference; (Elbow proximal to wrist)
Distal = farther from trunk of the body or
other point of reference (Fingers are distal to the
wrist);
7. Superficial = surface;
Deep = internal.
Directional Terms
Table 1.1
Directional Terms
Table 1.1
Pop Quiz…
1. Label:
11.
Lung
Heart
Diaphragm
12. Draw a picture to show the axial and appendicular portions
of the body.
Give the correct terms:
13. Membrane that covers the heart
14. The study of the function of the body parts.
15. The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity.
Terms Referring to Body
Sections (Cuts, Planes)
Sagittal cut: divides the body into right
and left portions.
Midsagittal: equal right and left
portions.
Frontal/Coronal Cut: divides the body
into anterior and posterior portions.
Transverse cut: divides the body into
superior and inferior portions.
1.
2.2
4.
3.
Midsaggital
Transverse
Frontal/Coronal
Abdominal Subdivisions
Regions in the abdominopelvic area
Right
Right
hypocondriac
region
Epigastric
region
Right lumbar Umbilical
region
region
Right iliac
region
Hypogastric
region
Left
hypochondriac
region
Left lumbar
region
Left iliac
region
Left
Right upper
quadrant
Left upper quadrant
LUQ
RUQ
Right lower
Quadrant
RLQ
Left lower quadrant
LLQ
Terms referring to surface
anatomy (landmarks)
Anterior landmarks:
a. cranial=skull
c. cephalic=head
e. axillary= armpit
g. antecubital=anterior elbow
h. antebrachial= forearm
i. carpal=wrist
k. digital=finger
m. patellar= knee cap
o. frontal= forehead
q. otic= ear
s. nasal= nose
u. mental= chin
w. umbilical=naval
y. inguinal= groin
bb. tarsal=ankle
b. facial=face
d. cervical=neck
f. brachial= upper arm
j. metacarpal= hand
l. femoral= thigh
n. crural= leg
p. orbital=eye
r. buccal=cheek
t. oral= mouth
v. mammary=breast
x. coxal= hip
aa. Pubic= pelvic
Terms Referring to Surface
Anatomy (Landmarks)
Posterior land marks
a. acromial = shoulder
b. cubital = elbow
c. gluteal = buttocks
d. popliteal = back of knee
e. pedal = foot
f. plantar = sole
g. dorsal = back
h. lumbar = loin
i. calcaneal = heel
17
18
19
1
20
2
21
22
3
4
5
23
6
7
24
8
25
9
10
26
11
12
13
14
27
15
16
28
29. Otic (Ear)
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
42
41
Calcaneal
43