Chapter 1: The Human Body : An Organ ization
Objectives:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Define anatomy and physiology and describe their subdivisions.
Explain the principle off complementarity.
Name the different levels of structural organization that make up
the human body, and explain their relationship.
List the 11 organ systems of the body, identify their components,
and briefly explain the major function(s) of each system.
List the functional characteristics necessary to maintain life in
humans.
List the survival needs of the body.
Define homeostasis and explain its significance.
Describe how negative and positive feedback maintain body
homeostasis.
Describe the relationship between homeostatic imbalance and
disease.
Describe the anatomical position.
Use correct anatomical terms to describe body directions, regions,
and body planes or sections.
Locate and name the major body cavities and their subdivisions,
and list the major organs contained within them.
Name the serous membranes and indicate their common function.
I. An Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
A. Anatomy – the structure of body parts and their relationships
B. Physiology – the function of the body
FORM = F UNCTI ON
C. Topics of Anatomy
1. Gross or Macroscopi c Anatomy – study of large body
structures visible to the naked eye
a. Regional Anatomy – all structures in a region of the body
b. Systemic Anatomy – all structures in a system of the
body
c. Surface Anatomy – study of the internal structures as
they relate to the over lying skin surface
1
2. Microscopic Anatomy – study of structures too small to be
seen with the naked eye
a. Cytology – study of cells
b. Histology – study of tissues
3. Developmental Anatomy – traces structural changes that
occur throughout a lifetime
a. Embryology – development changes that occur before
birth
D. Topics of Physiology
1. Topics consider operations of specific systems
a. Renal Physiology – kidney function and urine production
b. Neurophysiol ogy – workings of the nervous system
c. Cardiovascula r Physiology – operation of heart & blood
vessels
E. Complementarity of Structure and Function
1. Form = Function
II. Levels of Structural Organization
A. atoms  molecules  organelles  cells  tissues  organs 
organ systems  organism
B. Tissues – groups of cells that have a similar function
1. Epithelium
2. Muscle
3. Nervous
4. Connective
C. Organ – groups of tissues that perform a specific function
D. Organ System – groups of organs that work together to
accomplish a common purpose
III. Maintaining Life
A. Necessary Life Functions
1. Maintain Boundaries
a. Inside needs to remain separate from outside
b. Control of what goes in and out
2. Movement
3. Responsiveness
a. Ability to sense and respond to changes in the environment
4. Digestion
5. Metabolism
a. all chemical reactions that occur within body cells
2
b. Catabolism – breaking down substances
c. Anabolism – synthesizing complex structures from simple
substances
d. Cellular Respiration – using nutrients and oxygen to
produce ATP to power cellular activities
6. Excretion
7. Reproduction
a. can occur at the cellular level or the organismal level
8. Growth & Development
a. Growth – increase in size
b. Development – change in structure
B. Survival Needs
1. Nutrients
a. contain chemical substances used for energy and cell
building
b. most important nutrient is oxygen
2. Water
a. provides necessary environment for chemical reactions
3. Normal Body Temperature
4. Atmospheric Pressure
a. force air exerts on the surface of the body
IV. Homeostasis
A. Ability to maintain a stable internal environment
B. Unchanging – Balanced
C. Dynamic Equilibrium – internal conditions vary but within
narrow limits
D. Hemostatic Control Mechanisms
1. Variable – factor or event being regulated
2. Receptor – 1st component
a. monitors environment and responds to changes (stimuli)
b. sends information (input) to 2nd component
3. Control Center – 2nd component
a. determines set point
b. level or range at which variable is to be maintained
c. determines appropriate response
4. Effector – 3rd component
a. provides the means for the control centers response
(output)
b. results of response feedback to influence stimulus
3
1. negative - depressing stimulus so control mechanism
shuts off
2. positive – enhancing stimulus so reaction continues at
faster rate
E. Negative Feedback Mechanism
1. results in a change of the variable opposite of initial change,
returns variable to “ideal” value
2. body regulating temperature
F. Positive Feedback Mechanism
1. enhances the original stimulus so the activity is accelerated
2. blood clotting
V.
The Language of Anatomy
A. Anatomical Position and Directional Terms
1. Anatomical Position – standard body position to give an
anatomical reference point
2. DIRECTIONS ALWAYS REFER TO THE “PATIENT’S” BODY, NOT
THE OBSERVER
B. Regional Terms
1. 2 Divisions of the Body
a. Axial Part – head, neck, trunk
b. Appendicula r Part – appendages or limbs
C. Body Planes and Sections
1. Sagittal Plane – divides the body into right and left sections
a. Midsagittal plane – cut directly on the midline
b. Parasagittal plane – cut offset of midline
2. Frontal Plane – divide the body into front and back sections
a. also called a Coronal Plane
3. Transverse or Horizontal Plane – cuts body into upper and
lower sections
a. also called Cross Section
4
D. Body Cavities and Membranes
DORSAL CAVITY
CRANIAL CAVITY
brain
VERTEBRAL CANAL
spinal cord
VENTRALCAVITY
THORACIC CAVITY
ABDOMINOPELVIC
CAVITY
lungs
heart
esophagus
trachea
ABDOMINAL
CAVITY
stomach
liver
spleen
gallbladder
intestine
kidneys
adrenals
pancreas
PELVIC
CAVITY
rectum
urinary
bladder
internal
reprod.
organs
**Note: The diaphragm muscle separates the thoraci c from the
abdominopelvi c cavity
1. Viscera – organ
2. Pleural – lungs
3. Pericardial – heart
4. Mediastinum – region that contains the heart
E. Membranes of the Ventral Body Cavity
1. Serosa
a. Serous Membrane
b. thin double-layered membrane covers walls of cavity and
outer surface of organs
c. Parietal serosa – lines wall
d. Visceral serosa – covers organs
e. Serous Fluid – thin layer of lubricating fluid secreted by
both membranes
2. Serous Membranes of the Heart
5
a. Visceral Pericardium – membrane on the surface of the
heart
b. Parietal Pericardium – membrane lines the mediastinum
c. Pericardial Cavity – space between the 2 membranes
3. Serous Membranes of the Lungs
a. Visceral Pleura – membrane on the surface of the lung
b. Parietal Pleura – membranes lines the pleural cavity
c. Pleural Cavity – space between two membranes
4. Serous Membranes of the Abdominal Organs
a. Visceral Peritoneum – membrane on surface of stomach,
liver, etc.
b. Parietal Peritoneum – membrane lines the surface of the
abdominal cavity
c. Peritoneal Cavity – space between two membranes
F. Terms Referring to Direction/Relative Position
1. Superior = above
Inferior = below
2. Anterior = front
Posterior = back
3. Ventral = front
Dorsal = back
4. Medial = center
Lateral = side
5. Cephalad = head
Caudal = tail
6. Proximal = closer to trunk
Distal = further from trunk
7. Superficial = surface
Deep = internal
6