Chapter 1:
Overview of the Body
Outline
A.Introduction to Anatomy &
Physiology
B.Human Body Orientation
C. Body Positions
D. Movement
E. Body Regions
A. Introduction
Anatomy
(morphology):
“cutting up”; the
structural make-up of
an organism
Physiology:
The functions of an
organism
Fine or Microscopic
Anatomy:
examines microscopic
features of the body
(cells / tissues)
Gross Anatomy:
examines features of the
body visible to the
naked eye (systems /
organs)
Pathology: study of
human diseases
B. Human Body
Orientation
When the body is in
Anatomical Position it is:
1) in an erect posture,
2) with arms at the sides,
3) palms & feet facing
forward.
Directional
orientation
refers to the
view one has
of a person
Directional
planes
describe
different ways
a body can be
viewed &
divided
Directional Orientation
Superior:
• toward the
head
Inferior:
• toward the
feet
Ex. Lungs are superior to the diaphragm.
Directional Orientation
Medial:
 toward the
midline
Lateral:
 away from
the midline
Ex. Big toe is medial to the little toe.
Proximal :
 close to an
attachment
point
Directional
Orientation
Distal:
 far from an
attachment
point
Ex. Elbow is proximal to the wrist.
Directional Orientation
Superficial:
 towards the
surface
Deep

away from
the surface
Deep:
 away from
the surface
Ex. Skin is superficial to muscles.
Anterior:
Directional Orientation
(Ventral)
• front view
Posterior:
(Dorsal)
• back view
Ex. Chest is anterior to shoulder blades
Directional Planes
Sagittal Plane:
• lengthwise planes
dividing the body into
right & left sections
Midsagittal Plane:
• divides the body into
equal halves
Directional Planes
Frontal Plane:
• divides the body
vertically into anterior
& posterior sections
Coronal Plane:
• anterior & posterior
sections referring to
head region
Directional Planes
Transverse Plane:
• divides the body
horizontally into
upper & lower
sections
Concept Check 1
1. Define anatomy.
2. What is the difference between the study of fine anatomy and gross
anatomy?
3. Distinguish the difference between the terms physiology and
pathology?
Concept Check 2
1. Distinguish between the terms lateral and medial.
2. What is the difference between the terms inferior and distal?
3. What are alternate terms for anterior and posterior?
Concept Check 3
1. What is the difference between a sagittal plane and midsagittal plane?
2. Define the term frontal plane?
3. What does transverse plane mean?
C. Body postions
SUPINE:
body is lying face up
PRONE:
body is lying face
down
Lithotomy:
legs are placed on supports
that hold the ankles and spread out the legs
D. Movement
• Antagonistic:
opposing
movements
Flexion   Extension
Abduction   Adduction
Inversion   Eversion
E. Body Regions and Cavities
• Body regions
are divided into
general
locations,
abdominopelvic
regions, and
quadrants
Bilateral: – body parts
located laterally on
both sides of the body
Unilateral: – single
body part found in a
lateral location
Dorsal
cavity
• The human
body is
naturally
divided into
internal
cavities
Ventral
cavity
Ventral Body Cavity
1. Thoracic cavity: – esophagus, heart, lungs,
respiratory tree
Pericardial
cavity:
encases heart
Pleural
cavities:
encase the
lungs
Cutting Edge Research:
Smoking and the Thoracic Cavity
Pneumothorax – condition in which one or both lungs
collapse
Spontaneous pneumothorax – occurs in the absence of
injury to the chest or lungs;
• 7X more likely to occur in males than female
• male smokers are 20X more likely to develop SP
than male nonsmokers
• female smokers are 9X more likely to develop SP
than female nonsmokers
2. Abdominopelvic cavity: abdominal and pelvic
regions
Abdominal :
liver, gallbladder,
intestines, kidneys,
spleen, stomach
Pelvic:
rectum,
reproductve
system, urinary
bladder
Abdominopelvic Regions & Quadrants
Dorsal Body Cavity
1. Cranial cavity:
brain
1. Spinal cavity:
spinal cord
Online Review Game of Terms
http://www.wisc-online.com/objects/index_tj.asp?objID=AP15405
Concept Check 4
1. Define the term antagonistic in relation to body movement.
2. Distinguish between the terms flexion and extension.
3. Name and describe the antagonistic movements for flexion,
abduction, and eversion.
Concept Check 5
1. Define the abdominopelvic region.
2. What is the name of the center-most section of the abdominopelvic
region?
3. How does the quadrant system differ from the abdominopelvic
sections.
Concept Check 6
1. What structures are found in the abdominopelvic cavity?
2. Distinguish between the thoracic cavity and the spinal cavity.
3. What are the sections of the spinal cavity?
Case Study Investigation #1: Conclusion
 What region did the knife enter? How do you know?
What organs can be found in this region? Why might it be dangerous if these organs
are punctured?
Why do you think the patient is having trouble breathing? Is there a name for this
condition?