Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology

anatomy

branch of science concerned with structure of the body

physiology

branch of science that deals with functions of living organisms and their parts

anatomical position

standing straight, facing forward, arms at sides with palms forward

superior

toward the head, upper

inferior

away from head, below

anterior

toward the front, in front of

ventral

What is another term for the anterior part of the body?

posterior

toward the back, behind

dorsal

What is another term for the posterior part of the body?

medial

toward the midline of the body, on the inner side

lateral

away from the midline of the body, on the outer side

proximal

closer to the point of attachment

distal

farther from the point of attachment

superficial

close to surface of body

deep

toward interior of body

axial

making up the main axis of the body (head, neck, trunk)

appendicular

consisting of appendages or limbs

frontal

orbital

sternal

pectoral

cervical

acromial

axillary

brachial

antecubital

antebrachial

pelvic

carpal

palmar

digital

coxal

femoral

patellar

crural

tarsal

cephalic

otic

occipital

lumbar

sacral

gluteal

popliteal

sural

costal

plantar

cubital

pedal

sagittal

vertical plane, dividing into left and right sides

midsagittal

divides equally into right and left halves

parasagittal

divides unequally into right and left sides

transverse

divides into superior and inferior sections

coronal

divides into anterior and posterior sections

body cavity

major, closed compartment containing internal organs.

dorsal body cavity

cranial cavity

also includes oral, nasal, orbital, and middle ear cavities

vertebral cavity

contains the spinal cord

ventral body cavity

includes the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

thoracic cavity

surrounds organs of the chest, such as heart and lungs

pleural cavity

houses a lung

mediastinum

in the center of the thoracic cavity; it contains the pericardial cavity housing the heart, esophagus, and trachea

mediastinum

pleural cavity

pericardial cavity

ventral body cavity

dorsal body cavity

contains the cranial cavity and vertebral canal (cavity)

abdominopelvic cavity

cavity of the trunk below the diaphragm

abdominal cavity

contains stomach, liver, spleen, intestines, etc...

pelvic cavity

contains bladder, some reproductive organs, rectum...

diaphragm

large, dome-shaped muscle separating the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.

pelvic cavity

diaphragm

abdominal cavity

characteristics of life

movement, responsiveness, growth, reproduction, respiration, digestion, absorption, circulation, assimilation, excretion

levels of structural organization

atoms > molecules > cells > tissues > organs > organ systems > organisms

metabolism

sum of all chemical reactions that happen in the body

five requirements of life

water, food, oxygen, heat, pressure

homeostasis

dynamic condition in response to changing conditions, maintains a relatively stable environment

negative feedback system

maintains value of condition within normal range

positive feedback system

if change outside of normal occurs, this feedback makes the change greater

receptor

monitors value of a condition, senses changes

control center

establishes set point around which condition is maintained (brain)

effector

can change value of a condition (gland or muscle)

serous fluid

lubricating fluid between the parietal and visceral membranes

visceral pleura

membrane covering the surface of the lungs

visceral pericardium

membrane covering the surface of the heart

parietal pleura

membrane covering the cavity surrounding the lungs

parietal pericardium

membrane covering the cavity surrounding the heart

visceral peritoneum

membrane covering the surface of the abdominal organs

parietal peritoneum

membrane covering the cavity surrounding the abdominal organs

cardiovascular system

consists of the heart and blood vessels, responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients throughout the body

digestive system

a group of organs including stomach, intestines, and liver working together to convert food into energy and basic nutrients to feed the entire body

endocrine system

glands, like the thyroid and pituitary, that secrete hormones to regulate the body

integumentary system

made of of skin, hair, and nails; protects the body from damage such as loss of water or infection

lymphatic system

contains lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and spleen; it transports fluids from tissues and includes the immune system

muscular system

permits movement of the body, maintains posture, and circulates blood

nervous system

coordinates body activities by transmitting signals throughout the body; contains brain and spinal cord

reproductive system

allows for the production of offspring for the continuation of the species

respiratory system

contains lungs and air passageways to allow for gas exchange

skeletal system

structural system that performs various functions such as, support, protection, and calcium storage