Introduction to Human
Anatomy& Physiology
ANATOMY - the study of the structure
(morphology, form) of body parts.
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Histology - the microscopic study of
tissues.
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Cytology - the microscopic study of cells.
PHYSIOLOGY - the study of the
function of body parts.
Life Processes Distinguish Living
from Non-Living Things.
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Movement
Responsiveness
Growth
Reproduction
Respiration
Digestion
Absorption
Circulation
Assimilation
Excretion
Mental Mapping (use characteristics
to categorize the following)
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I am walking to McDonalds
I stop at the traffic light
I am getting taller
I am breathing air
I get a hamburger and eat it
My body absorbs nutrients from hamburger
The nutrients I absorbed from hamburger is
turned into things my body needs
• Eventually I go to the restroom
• Someday I may reproduce
Mental Mapping (use characteristics
to categorize the following)
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I am walking to McDonalds
movement
I stop at the traffic light
responsiveness
I am getting taller
growth
I am breathing air
respiration
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
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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.
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
Cranial Cavity
•Brain
Vertebral Cavity
•Spinal Cord
Thoracic Cavity
•Lungs
•Mediastinum - separates thorax into right
and left sides
•Heart
•Esophagus
•Trachea
•Thymus gland
Abdominopelvic Cavity
• Stomach
• Liver
• Spleen
Abdomen Region
• Gall bladder
• Small and large intestines
• Rectum/Anus
• Urinary bladder
• Internal reproductive organs
Pelvic Region
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.
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
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
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.
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;
Distal = farther from trunk;
7. Superficial = surface;
Deep = internal.
Terms Referring to Body
Sections (Cuts, Planes)
Sagittal cut: divides the body into
right and left portions.
Midsagittal: equal right and left
portions.
Frontal Cut: divides the body into
anterior and posterior portions.
Transverse cut: divides the body into
superior and inferior portions.
Abdominal Subdivisions
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