The Human Body:
An Orientation
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
 Anatomy – the study of the structure of body parts
and their relationships to one another …. what
things look like
 Gross or macroscopic – large; seen with eye
 Microscopic – small; need microscope to see
 Developmental – changes that occur over time
 Physiology – the study of the function of the body’s
structural machinery …. how a body part works
Gross Anatomy
 Regional – all
structures in one part
of the body
(such as the abdomen
or leg)
 Systemic – gross
anatomy of the body
studied by an entire
system (i.e. digestive
or skeletal system )
Microscopic Anatomy
 Cytology – studies cell structure and
its interactions with other cells. One
cell only
 Used to analyze cells to diagnose
disease
 Also known as cell biology
 Histology – study of the microscopic
anatomy of tissues made of a group of
similar cells, like muscles or skin.
Many cells of the same type
Developmental Anatomy
 Traces structural
changes throughout
life (puberty, growing
old)
 Embryology – study
of developmental
changes of the fetus
before birth
Specialized Branches of Anatomy
 Pathological anatomy – study of
structural changes caused by disease
causing organisms like bacteria and
fungi
 Radiographic anatomy – study of
internal structures visualized by
X-ray, MRI, PET scans, CT scans and
ultrasound
 Molecular biology – study of
structures at a sub-cellular level like
DNA damage caused by cancer or
protein structure deformities like
sickle-cell anemia
Physiology Aspect of Studying Anatomy
 Understanding physiology
also requires a knowledge
of physics, which explains
electrical currents, blood
pressure, and the way
muscle uses bone for
movement
 Also requires knowledge of
chemistry where gas laws
help to explain gas
exchange in our lungs
Principle of Complementarity
 Function always reflects structure
 What a structure can do depends on
its specific form
 “The way something looks is
related to how the structure works.”
In anatomy, we study the
structure of a body part, and
using our understanding of
physics and chemistry, we try
and determine how it
functions.
Levels of Structural Organization
 Chemical – atoms combined to form molecules
 Cellular – cells are made of molecules
 Tissue – consists of similar types of cells
 Organ – made up of different types of tissues
 Organ system – consists of different organs that
work closely together
 Organism – made up of the organ systems
Levels of Structural Organization
Smooth muscle cell
Molecules
2 Cellular level
Cells are made up of molecules
Atoms
Smooth
muscle
tissue
3 Tissue level
Tissues consist of
similar types of
cells
1 Chemical level
Atoms combine to
form molecules
Heart
Cardiovascular
system
Epithelial
tissue
Smooth
muscle
tissue
Connective
tissue
4 Organ level
Organs are made up of
different types of tissues
Blood
vessels
Blood
vessel
(organ)
6 Organismal level
The human organism is
made up of many organ
systems
5 Organ system level
Organ systems consist of different organs
that work together closely
Figure 1.1
Organ Systems of the Body
 Integumentary system
 Forms the external body covering
 Composed of the skin, sweat glands, oil glands,
hair, and nails
 Protects deep tissues from
injury and synthesizes vitamin D
Organ Systems of the Body
 Skeletal system
 Composed of bone, cartilage, and ligaments
 Protects and supports body organs
 Provides the framework for muscles
 Site of blood cell formation
 Stores minerals
Organ Systems of the Body
 Muscular system
 Composed of muscles and tendons
 Allows manipulation of the
environment, locomotion,
and facial expression
 Maintains posture
 Produces heat
Organ Systems of the Body
 Nervous system
 Composed of the brain,
spinal column, and
nerves
 Is the fast-acting control
system of the body
 Responds to stimuli by
activating muscles and
glands
Organ Systems of the Body
 Cardiovascular system
 Composed of the heart and
blood vessels
 The heart pumps blood
 The blood vessels transport
blood throughout the body
Organ Systems of the Body
 Lymphatic system
 Picks up fluid leaked from
blood vessels and returns
it to blood
 Disposes of debris in the
lymphatic stream
 Houses white blood cells
involved with immunity
Organ Systems of the Body
 Respiratory system
 Composed of the nasal
cavity, pharynx, trachea,
bronchi, and lungs
 Keeps blood supplied with
oxygen and removes
carbon dioxide
Organ Systems of the Body
 Digestive system
 Composed of the oral
cavity, esophagus,
stomach, small intestine,
large intestine, rectum,
anus, and liver
 Breaks down food into
absorbable units that
enter the blood
 Eliminates indigestible
foodstuffs as feces
Organ System Overview
 Endocrine System
 Secretes regulatory
hormones
 Controls growth, like
human growth hormone
 Controls reproduction
 Controls metabolism
like the pancreas creating
insulin to control sugar
Organ Systems of the Body
 Urinary system
 Composed of kidneys,
ureters, urinary bladder,
and urethra
 Eliminates nitrogenous
wastes from the body
 Regulates water,
electrolyte, and pH
balance of the blood
Organ Systems of the Body
 Male reproductive system
 Composed of prostate gland, penis, testes,
scrotum, and ductus deferens
 Main function is the production of offspring
 Testes produce sperm and male sex hormones
 Ducts and glands deliver sperm to the female
reproductive tract
Organ Systems of the Body
 Female reproductive system
 Composed of mammary glands, ovaries, uterine
tubes, uterus, and vagina
 Main function is the production of offspring
 Ovaries produce eggs and female sex hormones
 Remaining structures serve as sites for fertilization
and development of the fetus
 Mammary glands produce milk to nourish the
newborn