Chapter 1
Introduction
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1.1 Anatomy and Physiology
• Anatomy
– Study of structure and organization of the
body and its parts
– Gross anatomy vs. Microanatomy
• Physiology
– Study of the function of the body and its
parts
1.2 Levels of Organization
• Chemical level
– Simplest level
– Atoms
– Molecules
• Cellular level
– Cells are the basic structural and functional
unit of the body
– Organelle
• Tissue level
– Aggregation of similar cells that perform
similar functions
– Several different types
• Organ level
– Two or more tissues that work together to
perform specific functions
• Organ system level
– Groups of organs that work together to
perform specific system functions
– 11 organ systems
1.3 Directional Terms
• Describe relative position of a body part
• Terms occur in pairs with opposite
meanings
• Uses the anatomical position
– Upright body
– Arms at sides with palms forward
1.4 Body Regions
• Body consists of two portions
– Axial portion
– Appendicular portion
• Portions divided into regions with
special names to aid in communication
and location of body components
1.5 Body Planes and Sections
• Body planes are imaginary flat surfaces
that pass through the body at right
angles to each other
• Important to understand the threedimensional structure of an observed
object
• Transverse plane
– Divides body into superior and inferior
portions
• Sagittal plane
– Divides the body into right and left portions
– Midsagittal (medial) plane
• Coronal (frontal) plane
– Divides the body into anterior and posterior
portions
1.6 Body Cavities
• A body cavity is a space within the body
and contains internal organs
• There are two major body cavities
– Dorsal cavity
– Ventral cavity
• Dorsal cavity
– Cranial cavity
– Vertebral canal
• Ventral body cavity
– Thoracic cavity
– Abdominopelvic
cavity
• Abdominal cavity
• Pelvic cavity
• Membranes of Body Cavities
– Support and protect the internal organs in
the cavities
• Dorsal Cavity Membranes
– Meninges
• Ventral Cavity Membranes
– Serous membranes
• Line cavity and organ surfaces
• Secrete watery lubricating fluid
– Pleura and pleural membranes in thoracic cavity
• Parietal pleura
• Visceral pleura
• Serous fluid is located between the two pleurae in the
pleural cavity
– Pericardium envelops the heart
• Visceral pericardium
• Parietal pericardium
• Serous fluid between the membranes fills the
pericardial cavity
– Peritoneum lines the abdominal cavity and
surfaces of organs in that cavity
• Parietal peritoneum
• Visceral peritoneum
– Forms supportive mesenteries that support
abdominal organs
• Space between membranes is the peritoneal
cavity
1.7 Abdominopelvic
Subdivisions
• Abdomen can
be divided into
four quadrants
• Abdomen can
also be
divided into
nine regions
1.8 Maintenance of Life
• Metabolism consists of all the chemical
reactions that are collectively known as
life
– Anabolism
– Catabolism
• Life is FRAGILE!!! It depends on
normal functioning of trillions of cells
• Survival Needs are essential for life
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Food
Water
Oxygen
Body temperature
Atmospheric pressure
• Homeostasis is also essential for life
– Maintenance of relatively stable internal
environment by self-regulating physiological
processes
– Dynamic balance held within narrow limits
– Maintained despite internal and external
factors altering body temperature and fluids
– Disruption leads to disorder and disease
– Negative-feedback mechanisms
• Most common type of regulatory mechanism
• Minimizes deviation from the norm
• Examples: body temperature, blood pressure
– Positive-feedback mechanisms
• Rare
• Stimulate and promote a change in a body
condition
• Examples: uterine contractions during labor,
blood clotting
Negative Feedback Mechanism