ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY
ANATOMY- scientific discipline/study
that investigates the structure of the
body
-The word means to dissect or cut
apart to separate the parts of the body
for study
-Examines the relationship between
the structure of a body part and its
function (hammer> nails into wood;
bone>provide strength and support)
** 2 Basic approaches to the study of
anatomy:
Systemic anatomy – study of body
systems, such as cardiovascular,
nervous, skeletal and muscular system
(approach taken in this textbook)
Regional anatomy – study of the
organization of the body by areas such
as head, abdomen, arm (within this
areas all systems are studied
simultaneously)
** 2 General ways to examine the internal
structures of a living person:
Surface anatomy – study of external
feature such as bony projections which
serve as landmarks for locating deeper
structures.
Ex: sternum(breastbone) landmark
for health professionals in listening heart
sound
Anatomical Imaging – use of x-rays,
ultrasound, MRI, to create picture of
internal structures such as determining if
a bone is broken or a ligament is torn
PHYSIOLOGY – is the scientific
study/discipline that deals with the
processes or functions of living things.
** 2 Major goals in studying
Physiology:
1.Examining the body’s responses to
stimuli
2.Examining the body’s maintenance
of stable internal conditions
Human physiology – the study of
humans
** Levels at which physiology is
being studied:
Cellular physiology – focuses
on processes inside the cells
such as the manufacturing of
substances including proteins
Systemic physiology – focuses
on the functions of organ
systems
STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL
ORGANIZATION OF THE HUMAN
BODY
Learning Outcomes:
-Describe the 6 levels of organization
of the body and describe the major
characteristics of each level
-List the 11 organ systems, identify
their components, and describe the
major functions of each system
I.Chemical Level
-Involves how atoms such as
hydrogen and carbon interact and
combine into molecules. (impt:
molecule structure determines its
function)
-Atoms combine to form molecules
Ex: collagen molecule –strong,
ropelike fibers that gives skin
structural strength and flexibility
(aging)
II. Cell Level
CELLS- the basic structural and
functional units of organisms, such as
plants and animals
Organelles- are smaller structures
inside the cells
-functions in digestion and
movement for the cell
- Molecules form
organelles such as nucleus (hereditary
info) and mitochondria (manufacture
ATP) which make up cells
III. Tissue Level
Tissue – a group of similar cells and
the materials surrounding them
-The characteristics of the cells and
surrounding materials determine the
functions of the tissue
**4 Primary types of tissues:
Epithelial
Connective
Muscle
Nervous
IV. Organ level
Organ – composed of 2 or more
tissue types that together perform
1 or more common functions.
-Different tissues combine to
form organs
Ex: urinary bladder, heart,
stomach, liver
V. Organ system level
-A group of organs that together perform a
common function or set of functions
Ex: Urinary bladder (consists of
kidneys,ureters, urinary bladder and urethra)
-Major Organ Systems:
- Integumentary
- Cardiovascular
- Skeletal
- Lymphatic
- Muscular
- Respiratory
- Nervous
- Digestive
- Endocrine
- Urinary
- Reproductive
VI. Organism Level
-Is any living thing considered as
a whole, whether composed of
one cell, such as a bacterium, or
of trillion of cells, such as
humans
-Human organism- a network of
organ systems that are mutually
dependent upon one another.
MAJOR ORGAN SYSTEMS