1
CHAPTER SUMMARY
Chapter 1 introduces and establishes the framework upon which all the other chapters are built. This
chapter provides the necessary terminology so that instructor and students are all “speaking the same
language.” Marieb begins by defining the key terms anatomy and physiology, and then continues to
describe the ways in which these key terms are interrelated. It is important that students realize that
function closely follows structure, since that concept will help them to master the more difficult
material in future chapters.
Levels of organization are presented next, beginning with the atomic level and
continuing through to the highest level of organization, the human body. A brief overview of
the various organ systems follows the discussion of the levels of structural organization, and the ways
in which all the organ systems are connected into a working whole. This concept is further augmented
by the discussion of the necessary life functions, since it is important for students to understand that
each of the organ systems has several functions, and that any given function (e.g., excretion) is
actually carried out by several organ systems working together to maintain appropriate balance within
the living organism. This leads to a discussion of homeostasis, and the disease states that occur both
within itself and with its surrounding environment when homeostatic mechanisms are out of balance
for extended periods. Students appreciate the image of the dynamic body continually striving
to maintain balance and equilibrium.
The final section of this chapter provides the basic terminology that will be used
and expanded upon throughout the text. Directional terms help the student distinguish between
relative terms such as proximal and distal, and thus help them understand the midline of the body as
an axis point. Regional terms differentiate anterior and posterior body landmarks, divide the body into
sections and planes, and identify the body cavities and their components. The anatomists’ useful
description of regions is also presented to round out the students’ awareness of the ways in which the
body can be physically and intellectually dissected.
SUGGESTED LECTURE OUTLINE
I.
AN OVERVIEW OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY (p. 2)
A. Anatomy (p. 2)
1. Gross anatomy
1. Microscopic anatomy
B. Physiology (p. 2)
1. Neurophysiology
2. Cardiac physiology
C. Relationship Between Anatomy and Physiology (p. 2)
1. Anatomical structure determines physiological function
II. LEVELS OF STRUCTURAL ORGANIZATION (pp. 2–7)
A. From Atoms to Organisms (pp. 2–3)
1. Chemical Level—atoms combine to form molecules
2. Cellular Level—molecules combine to form cells such as smooth muscle cells
3. Tissue Level—similar cells combine to form tissues such as smooth muscle tissue
4. Organ Level—differing tissues combine to form organs such as a blood vessel made
of epithelial, smooth, and connective tissues
5. Organ System Level—differing organs combine to form organ systems such as the
cardiovascular system
6. Organismal Level—many organ systems combine to form organisms such as a
human being
B. Organ System Overview (pp. 3–7; Figure 1.2)
1. Integumentary System—external covering for body, vitamin D synthesis, cutaneous
reception,sweat and oil gland secretion
2. Skeletal System—protect and support deeper body tissues and organs, framework for
movement, hematopoiesis, mineral storage
3. Muscular System—manipulation of environment, locomotion, facial expression,
posture maintenance, heat production
4. Nervous System—fast-acting response to internal and external stimuli, activation of
muscles and glands
5. Endocrine System—secretion of hormones which regulate growth, reproduction, and
metabolism Cardiovascular System—transportation of blood which carries oxygen,
carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes
7. Lymphatic System—returns leaked fluid to blood, disposes of debris, houses white
blood cells for immunity
8. Respiratory System—maintains blood oxygen and removes carbon dioxide via lung
air sacs
9. Digestive System—breaks down ingested food for absorption, eliminates undigested
foods as feces
10. Urinary System—eliminates nitrogenous wastes; regulates water, electrolyte, and
acid-base balance of blood
11. Reproductive System—production of viable offspring
a. Male reproductive system—testes produce sperm and male sex hormones
b. Female reproductive system—ovaries produce eggs and female sex hormones,
fertilization and development of fetus, mammary glands to nourish newborn
III. MAINTAINING LIFE (pp. 7–9)
A. Necessary Life Functions (pp. 7–9)
1. Maintaining Boundaries
2. Movement
3. Responsiveness (irritability)
4. Digestion
5. Metabolism
6. Excretion
7. Reproduction
8. Growth
B. Survival Needs (p. 9)
1. Nutrients (food)
2. Oxygen
3. Water
4. Body Temperature
5. Atmospheric Pressure
6.
IV. HOMEOSTASIS (pp. 9–11)
A. Homeostatic Control Mechanisms (pp. 10–11)
1. Receptor—stimulus response via afferent pathway
2. Control Center—determines set point and analyzes incoming information to
determine appropriate response
3. Effector—response via efferent pathway
4. Negative Feedback Mechanisms—heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, blood
glucose
5. Positive Feedback Mechanisms—blood clotting, childbirth
B. Homeostatic Imbalance (p. 11)
V. THE LANGUAGE OF ANATOMY (pp. 11–20)
A. Anatomical Position (p. 11)
B. Regional Terms (pp. 12–13)
1. Anterior Body Landmarks
a. Abdominal
b. Acromial
c. Antecubital
d. Axillary
e. Brachial
f. Buccal
g. Carpal
h. Cervical
i. Coxal
j. Crural
k. Digital
l. Femoral
m. Fibular
n. Inguinal
o. Nasal
p. Oral
q. Orbital
r. Patellar
s. Pelvic
t. Pubic
u. Sternal
v. Tarsal
w. Thoracic
x. Thoracic
y. Umbilical
2. Posterior Body Landmarks
a. Calcaneal
b. Cephalic
c. Deltoid
d. Femoral
e. Gluteal
f. Lumbar
g. Occipital
h. Olecranal
i. Popliteal
j. Sacral
k. Scapular
l. Sural
m. Vertebral
C. Directional Terms (p. 13; Table 1.1)
1. Superior (cranial or cephalad)
2. Inferior (caudal)
3. Anterior (ventral)
4. Posterior (dorsal)
5. Medial
6. Lateral
7. Intermediate
8. Proximal
9. Distal
10. Superficial (external)
11. Deep (internal)
D. Body Planes and Sections (pp. 13 and 17; Figure 1.6)
1. Sagittal—lengthwise (longitudinal) division into right and left parts
a. Midsagittal (median) section—right and left parts have equal size
2. Frontal (coronal)—lengthwise (longitudinal) division into anterior and posterior parts
3. Transverse (horizontal)—cross-sectional division into superior and inferior parts
E. Body Cavities (pp. 17–18; Figure 1.8)
1. Dorsal Body Cavity—protection of delicate central nervous system neurons
a. Cranial Cavity—superior
b. Spinal Cavity—inferior
2. Ventral Body Cavity—much larger than dorsal cavity
a. Thoracic Cavity—superior
b. Diaphragm—dome-shaped muscular division between thoracic and abdominal
cavities
c. Mediastinum—separates lungs into right and left cavities
d. Abdominopelvic Cavity
i. Superior Abdominal Cavity—stomach, liver, intestines, other organs
ii. Inferior Pelvic Cavity—reproductive organs, bladder, rectum
iii. Abdominopelvic Quadrants—four
(1) Right Upper Quadrant
(2) Right Lower Quadrant
(3) Left Upper Quadrant
(4) Left Lower Quadrant
iv. Abdominopelvic Regions—nine
(1). Umbilical Region
(2) Epigastric Region
(3) Hypogastric (Pubic) Region
(4) Right Iliac (Inguinal) Region
(5) Left Iliac (Inguinal) Region
(6) Right Lumbar Region
(7) Left Lumbar Region
(8) Right Hypochondriac Region
(9) Left Hypochondriac Region