Chapter 1: Intro to The Human Body
Anatomy (“a cutting open”): a study of body structures
Physiology: study of how living organisms
Knowledge of A & P of a healthy human body will enable you to understand important
mechanisms of disease and help make intelligent decisions about health.
Gross Anatomy (macroscopic) – structures visible to
Surface – study of general
Regional – focuses on the anatomical organization
Systemic – study of the structure of
Microscopic Anatomy – requires
Cytology – structure of individual
Histology – examination of
Physiology specialties – requires anatomical and physiological information
Cell physiology, Organ physiology, and Pathological physiology
Levels of Structural Organization: (fig 1-1)
Chemical (or Molecular): atoms to molecules. Atoms, smallest part of an element,
combine by chemical bonds to form molecules
Cellular: smallest unit of living things; molecules comprise
Tissues: group of similar cells that have a common function
1.
2.
3.
4.
Organs: Specific structure composed of at least two or more tissue type that perform
Organ System:
1.
5.
9.
2.
6.
10.
3.
7.
11.
4.
8.
Organism: Represents the sum total of all structural levels working together to promote
The key to our survival is the ability to maintain a stable internal environment.
Catabolism vs. Anabolism (Fig. 1-2)

ATP – Adenosine Triphosphate: high energy compound
Homeostasis is the ability to maintain relatively stable internal conditions even though
the outside environment is changing
Intracellular fluid vs Extracellular fluid
Most regulatory mechanisms involve
: (fig 1-6)
1.
Negative feedback causes the variable to change in a direction opposite to
the original stimulus;
2.
Positive feedback the response is enhanced or exaggerated. Activity is
accelerated in the
As we age, our cells, tissues, etc become less effective; therefore system breakdown
occurs and eventually leads to our demise.
Anatomical Position: upright, feet slightly apart, palms forward
 Descriptions are from
Prone: lying
Supine: lying
Directional Terminology: (Fig 1-7)
Anterior/Posterior:
Medial/Lateral:
Proximal/Distal:
Superficial/Deep:
Superior/Inferior:
Regional Terms
Cervical: neck
Plantar: sole of foot
Thoracic (thorax): chest
Dorsal: back
Lumbar: loin or back
Palmar: palm of hand
Sacral: between hips
Axilla: armpit
Pelvic: hips
Brachial (um): arm
Inguinal: groin
Antebrachial (um): forearm
Caudal/Cephalic: head
Femoral: thigh
Gluteal: buttocks
Crural: lower leg
Body Planes: (fig 1-8)
1. Sagittal: vertical plane dividing into
Midsagittal: runs along midline; divides body into
2. Frontal: (coronal) vertical plane extends from side to side; divides into
3. Transverse: (cross section) horizontal plane separating
Read Hot Topics Box 1-2: Medical Imaging
Axial body – main axis
Appendicular - limbs
Body Cavities: (fig 1-11, 1-12) within axial portion; all closed to the outside
Dorsal
cranial cavity
vertebral cavity
Ventral
thoracic cavity
abdominopelvic cavity
R pleural cavity
L pleural cavity
abdominal cavity
mediastinum
pelvic cavity
pericardial cavity
Abdominopelvic Regions (fig 1-13) and Quadrants (fig 1-14) (in bold)
Umbilical – centermost region; umbilicus (navel)
RUQ – right upper quad
Epigastric – superior to umbilical region
LUQ – Left upper quad
Hypogastric – inferior to umbilical region
RLQ – Right lower quad
Inguinal (R & L) – lateral to hypogastric
LLQ – Left lower quad
Lumbar (R & L) – lateral to umbilical
Hypochondriac (R & L) – lateral to epigastric
Metric System (Appendix 1 and 2)
Understanding of the metric system is necessary to be involved with the health care
system
Length (based off the meter = 1)
 Kilo =
 Centimeter =
 Millimeter =
 Micrometer =
 2.5 centimeters (25 mm) =
 1 meter (100 cm) =
Weight (based off the gram = 1)
 1000 mg =
 30 grams =


1 kilogram =
.5 g =
Volume (based off the liter = 1)
 1000 ml =
 1 liter =
 5 ml =


15 ml =
30 ml =
Temperature (Celsius)
 Celsius to Fahrenheit:
 Fahrenheit to Celsius: )