INTRODUCTION TO
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
DEFINITIONS
Anatomy
- “to cut apart”
- Study of Bodily Structure
- Includes:
* Systemic or Regional
* Gross or Microscopic
* Developmental
* Imaging
DEFINITIONS continued
Physiology
- “study of nature”
- Study of Bodily Function
- Includes:
* Cell Physiology
* Pathophysiology
* Immunology
* Exercise Physiology
LEVELS OF STRUCTURAL
ORGANIZATION
 Chemical
- Atoms, Molecules
 Cellular
- Organelles, Cells
 Tissue
- Groups of Cells
 Organ
- 2 or more tissue types
- Specific functions
- Recognizable shape
LEVELS OF STRUCTURAL
ORGANIZATION continued
 System
- Groups of related organs
- Work together toward common function
- 11 organ systems
 Organismal
- Highest level
- All parts of organism
11 Organ Systems
Integumentary – external body covering;
protection & sensation
Skeletal – internal support; protection
Muscular - movement
Nervous – fast-acting control system
Endocrine – hormonal control; secreted by
glands
11 Organ Systems
Cardiovascular – Transports via circulating
blood
Lymphatic – Returns fluid leaked from
blood; immune defense
Respiratory – exchanges gases (O2 & CO2)
with environment
Digestive –Breakdown & absorption of
food; elimination of undigestable food
11 Organ Systems
Urinary – Removes most metabolic wastes
from the blood as urine
Reproductive – produces offspring
HOMEOSTASIS
Homeostasis
- Maintaining a relatively stable internal
environment, regardless of external
conditions.
- Allows changes within narrow limits.
- “Dynamic Equilibrium”
- Regulated by feedback mechanisms
Homeostatic Control Mechanisms
- 3 Components
*Receptor – detects changes
*Control Center – to determine set
point (normal) and appropriate
response to deviations
*Effector – responds to change
Negative Feedback - Control of
Room Temperature
Homeostatic Control
Mechanisms
Negative Feedback System
-
Common
Reverses Change
Results in Fluctuations about Set Point
e.g. control of body temperature
Positive Feedback System
-
Rare
Change is increased
May be Harmful (induced by pathogens)
e.g. lactation, blood clot formation
Positive Feedback – Blood Clot
Formation
TERMINOLOGY
 Anatomical Position
- Erect Stance, Palms Forward
 Directional Terms
- Explain Relative Location of Body Parts
- Many Paired Opposites
 Regional Terms
- Refer to Specific Body Parts, Regions
- Divided into Anterior & Posterior
Landmarks
Directional Terms
Regional Terms
Some Examples…
Cephalic - head
Cervical - neck
Axillary - armpit
Brachial - arm
Inguinal- groin
Gluteal - buttock
Femoral - thigh
TERMINOLOGY continued
 Body Planes & Sections
- Frontal (Coronal)
* Vertical, Divides into Anterior &
Posterior
- Transverse
* Horizontal, Divides into Superior &
Inferior
- Sagittal (Para- & Mid-)
* Vertical, Divides into Right & Left
- Oblique
* Diagonal, Between Vertical & Horizontal
TERMINOLOGY continued
Body Cavities (Protect & Allow for
Growth/Change)
Dorsal & Ventral form during
embryological development
- Dorsal
* Cranial - Brain
* Spinal or Vertebral – Spinal Cord
BODY CAVITIES continued
- Ventral
* Thoracic
Pleural - Lungs
Mediastinal – Trachea, esophagus,
thymus; Between Lungs
Pericardial – Heart; division of
mediastinal
* Abdominopelvic
Abdominal (Peritoneal)
Pelvic
Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Abdominal Regions
 Hypochondriac – spleen & parts of diaphragm,
liver, kidneys, pancreas
 Epigastric – Most of pancreas & parts of
stomach, liver, duodenum, IVC, abdominal aorta
 Lumbar/Lateral
 Umbilical
 Iliac/Inguinal
 Hypogastric