Anatomy & Physiology
The Human Body: An Orientation
Introduction:

Anatomy: the study of structure and
shape of the body (and its parts) and
their relationship to each other.

Physiology: (physio= nature; ology= study
of) the study of the function of the
body and its parts.

These compliment each other and allow
us to study the body’s structures and
functions.
Levels of Structural Organization
(of Humans):
Atoms (building
blocks of matter;
combine to make
molecules)
 Cells (smallest unit
of life)
 Tissues (groups of
similar cells
performing a
common function)

Organs (groups of
tissues working
together for a
specific function)
 Organ Systems
(groups of organs
working
collectively for a
greater good)
 Organism

Levels of Structural Organization
(of Humans):
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=levels+of+structural+organization&hl=en&sa=X&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ADSA_enUS406US407&biw=1366&bih=613&tbm=isch&prmd=i
mvns&tbnid=P4lM9cOAzch8NM:&imgrefurl=http://webs.ashlandctc.org/mflath/
Organ System Overview:

Integumentary System: skin; provides
protection, waterproofing, and
cushioning; excretes waste; regulates
temperate; contains temperature, pain &
pressure receptors.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=skin&hl=en&sa=X&qscrl=1&nord=1&rlz=1T4ADSA_enUS406US407&biw=1366&bih=613&tbm=isch
&prmd=imvnsbl&tbnid=hfmWyx2vzLbDKM:&imgrefurl=http://www.americanskin.org/

Skeletal System:
bones, cartilage,
ligaments, & joints.
Provides
framework and
supports body;
with muscles,
allows movement;
protects organs;
forms blood cells;
stores minerals
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=skeletal+system

Muscular System:
Muscles.
Movement and
transport
substances
throughout the
body
http://www.google.com/imgres

Nervous System:
Brain, spinal cord,
nerves, &
receptors.
Respond to
stimuli and
activate
muscles or
glands.
http://www.google.com/imgres

http://www.google.com/imgres
Endocrine System:
Glands (pituitary,
thyroid, parathyroid,
adrenals, pancreas,
thymus, ovaries,
testes, & pineal) and
hormones. Regulate
bodily functions
such as growth,
metabolism, and
reproduction.

Cardiovascular System: Heart & blood
vessels. Transports fluid, oxygen, and
waste throughout the body.
http://www.google.com/imgres

Lymphatic System:
Lymph Nodes,
Lymph Vessels,
Tonsils, Thymus,
Appendix, &
Spleen. Clean
blood of
impurities; help
with immunity.
http://www.google.com/imgres

http://www.google.com/imgres
Respiratory System:
Nasal passages 
pharynx  larynx
 trachea 
bronchi  lungs.
Functions in gas
exchange.

Digestive System:
Mouth  esophagus
 stomach  small
then large intestine
 rectum;
accessory organs
include liver,
gallbladder, and
pancreas. Functions
in breaking down
food into nutrients
for the absorption
into the blood.
http://www.google.com/imgres

http://www.google.com/imgres
Urinary System:
Kidneys, ureters,
bladder, & urethra.
Functions in
filtering
nitrogenous waste
from the blood
(creates urea),
maintains body’s
water and salt
balance, regulates
body’s blood
pressure, and acidbase balance.

Reproductive
System: Function is
to produce
offspring. Male
includes testis,
penis, and duct
system; female
includes ovaries,
uterus, and duct
system.
http://www.google.com/imgres
Maintaining Life:
There are 8 characteristics that maintain,
or enable, life.

Maintaining boundaries: separation of
life from outside environment (from a
cell membrane to skin)

Movement: internal & external

Responsiveness: sense the environment
and react to it accordingly

Digestion: break down food

Metabolism: all chemical reactions
within the body: decomposition
(break down) and synthesis (build
up)

Excretion: removal of wastes

Reproduction: produce more like self
(this can occur on the cellular level
for growth, maintenance, and repair)

Growth: increase in size
Survival Needs:
There are 5 survival needs, or requirements for
life:

Nutrients: food

Oxygen: needed to break down food (releases
energy from food)

Water: transports, regulates, & needed for
chemical reactions (most abundant chemical
in our bodies)

Normal Body Temperature: determines rate of
reactions

Atmospheric Pressure: force exerted on body by
weight of air (enables gas exchange)
Homeostasis:

Homeostasis is the body’s ability to
maintain a stable internal
environment (temp., bp).

Homeo = same; stasis = stand still

There are 2 types of control: Negative
& Positive Feedback Mechanisms.
http://www.google.com/imgres
The Language of Anatomy:

Superior: above, or
toward the head
(cranial)

Inferior: below, or
away from the head
(caudal)

Ventral: front of the
body (anterior)

Dorsal: backside
(behind) of the body
(posterior)

Medial: middle

Lateral: outer side of
body
Proximal: close to the
origin point of
attachment to a limb


Distal: farther from
the point of
attachment to a limb

Superficial: surface
Body Planes & Sections:

Sagittal Section:
cutting the body
lengthwise

Median
(midsagittal)
Section: sagittal
section that is
equal

Frontal Section:
cutting the body
into anterior and
posterior parts.

Transverse Section:
(a.k.a. cross section)
cutting the body
into superior &
inferior sections
Median:
Frontal:
http://www.google.com/imgres
Transverse:
Body Cavities:

Dorsal Cavity:
◦ Cranial Cavity: skull & brain
◦ Spinal Cavity: spinal cord & backbone (vertebrate)

Ventral Cavity:
◦ Thoracic Cavity: upper part of trunk
◦ Abdominopelvic Cavity: lower trunk

The ventral cavity is separated by the diaphragm
(thin muscle).
http://www.google.com/imgres?
Ventral Cavity:
Thoracic Cavity:


The mediastinum
separates the left
& right sides
(separates the
lungs).
The viscera: lungs,
heart, espohagus,
trachea, & thymus
gland (all except
lungs are w/in
mediastinum).
Abdominopelvic
Cavity:

This is from the
diaphragm to the
pelvic floor.
Contains 2 cavities:

Abdominal Cavity
(below diaphragm):
viscera: stomach, liver,
spleen, kidneys, gall
bladder, and small &
large intestines
(majority)

Pelvic Cavity (above
diaphragm): viscera:
large intestines
(lower end), bladder,
& reproductive
organs
http://www.google.com/imgres?
Other Body Cavities:
http://www.google.com/imgres?
Nasal Cavity: nose, nasal
septum & sinuses (frontal &
sphenoidal)
Oral & Digestive Cavities:
teeth & tongue
http://www.google.com/imgres?
Orbital Cavities: eyes, eye
muscles, & nerves
http://www.google.com/imgres?
Middle Ear Cavities:
middle ear bones
http://www.google.com/imgres?