Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
• Anatomy: study of structure of parts of the body and
their relationships to one another
• Physiology: study of function of the body
• Principle of complimentarity
– Anatomy and physiology are inseparable
– What a structure can do depends on its form
– Bones support and protect body organs
– Blood flows in one direction due to valves
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Anatomical Position
• Standard anatomical body position:
– Body erect
– Feet slightly apart
– Palms facing forward
This position is used as reference point whenever the
human body is described.
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Ana Position-Lab 1
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The head is superior to the abdomen.
The leg is inferior to the chin.
The breastbone is anterior to the spine.
The heart is posterior to the sternum.
Table 1.1
The heart is medial to the arm.
The arm is lateral to the chest.
Table 1.1
The elbow is proximal to the wrist.
The knee is distal to the thigh.
Table 1.1
The skin is superficial to the skeletal muxcles.
The lungs are deep to the skin.
Table 1.1
In relation to the trunk or origin of a limb,
1. The hands are _______________ to the shoulders.
2.The nose is _____________ to the ears.
3.The knee is _________ to the hip.
4.The hip is __________ to the knees.
5.The shoulder is __________to the elbow.
6.The feet are __________ to the knee.
7.The fingers are __________ to the wrist.
8.The wrist is _________________ to the fingers.
9.The eyes are _________ to the ears.
10.The ears are ________ to the nose.
11.The elbow is _____________ to the shoulder.
12.The feet are ________ to the hip.
13.The elbow is ________ to the hand.
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Body Planes
Definition: Flat surface along which body or structure is
cut for anatomical study
• Sagittal plane
– Divides body vertically into right and left parts
• Midsagittal (median) plane
• Parasagittal plane
• Frontal (coronal) plane
– Divides body vertically into anterior and posterior
parts
• Transverse (horizontal) plane
– Divides body horizontally into superior and
inferior parts (upper and lower halves)
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Body Cavities
Dorsal cavity
– Protects nervous system
• 2 subdivisions:
– Cranial cavity--encases brain
– Vertebral cavity--encases spinal cord
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Ventral cavity
– Houses internal organs (viscera)
– Two subdivisions (separated by diaphragm):
• Thoracic cavity
• Abdominopelvic cavity
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• Thoracic cavity subdivisions:
– Two pleural cavities
– Mediastinum
• Contains pericardial cavity
• Surrounds other structures in this area
– Pericardial cavity--encloses heart
• Abdominopelvic cavity subdivisions:
– Abdominal cavity
• Contains stomach, intestines, spleen, and liver
– Pelvic cavity
• Contains urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and
rectum
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Ana Position-Lab 1
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Serous Membrane (Serosa)
• Thin, double-layered membrane separated by
serous fluid
– Parietal serosa lines internal body walls
– Visceral serosa covers the internal organs
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Ana Position-Lab 1
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Organization of the Body
• Cell – smallest structure that shows all characteristics
of life
• Tissue –similar types of cells
• Organ –different types of tissues
• Organ system –different organs working closely
together
• Organism –organ systems
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Organ Systems of the Body
• Integumentary system
– Forms external body covering
– Composed of skin, sweat glands, oil glands, hair, nails
– Protects deep tissues from injury and synthesizes vitamin
D
• Skeletal system
– Composed of bone, cartilage, and ligaments
– Protects and supports body organs
– Provides framework for muscles
– Site of blood cell formation
– Stores minerals
Lecture 1-Intro
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Organ Systems of the Body
• Muscular system
– Composed of muscles and tendons
– Allows manipulation of environment, locomotion,
and facial expression
– Maintains posture
– Produces heat
• Nervous system
– Composed of brain, spinal column, nerves
– Fast-acting control system of body
– Responds to stimuli by activating muscles and
glands
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• Endocrine System
– Produces hormones that regulate many body
functions
– Works with nervous system to communicate
information throughout body
• Cardiovascular system
– Composed of heart and blood vessels
– heart pumps blood
– blood vessels transport blood throughout body
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Organ Systems of the Body
• Lymphatic system
– Composed of red bone marrow, thymus, spleen, lymph
nodes, and lymphatic vessels
– Picks up fluid leaked from blood vessels and returns it to
blood
– Disposes of debris from lymphatic stream
– Houses white blood cells involved with immunity
• Respiratory system
– Composed of nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx trachea,
bronchi, and lungs
– Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes
carbon dioxide
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• Digestive system
– Composed of oral cavity, esophagus, stomach,
small intestine, large intestine, rectum, anus, and
liver
– Breaks down food into absorbable units that enter
the blood
– Eliminates indigestible foodstuffs as feces
• Urinary system
– Composed of kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder,
and urethra
– Eliminates nitrogenous wastes from body
– Regulates water, electrolyte, and pH balance of
blood
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• Male reproductive system
– Composed of penis, testes, scrotum, prostate gland, and
ductus (vas) deferens
– Main function is production of offspring
– Testes produce sperm and male sex hormones
– Ducts and glands deliver sperm to female reproductive
tract
• Female reproductive system
– Composed of mammary glands, ovaries, uterine tubes,
uterus, and vagina
– Main function is the production of offspring
– Ovaries produce eggs and female sex hormones
– Remaining structures serve as sites for fertilization and
development of fetus
– Mammary glands produce milk to nourish newborn
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LAB EXPERIMENTS
1. Observe torso models
• identify the major body cavities and the organs
located within
• state the organ system to which the organs
belong
2. Have a basic understanding of the body’s organ
systems (see Table 2.1).
3. Describe the body cavities and the major organs
each contains. (Ch 1 Activity 4; Ch 2 Activity 5).
4. Explain the body planes and directional terms.
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