INTRODUCTION TO ANATHOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

What is anatomy?

The study of the structure of the body and the relationships among body parts.

What is physiology?

The study of how body parts function and work together.

What is the relationship between anatomy and physiology?

Structure determines function; anatomy and physiology are closely related and usually studied together.

What are the levels of organization of the human body?

Chemical, Cellular, Tissue, Organ, Organ System, and Organism.

What is the chemical level?

The simplest level consisting of atoms and molecules.

What is the cellular level?

Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.

What is the tissue level?

A group of similar cells working together to perform a common function.

What is the organ level?

A structure composed of two or more tissue types performing specific functions.

What is the organ system level?

A group of organs working together to perform major body functions.

What is the organism level?

The highest level where all organ systems function together to form a living human.

What are the characteristics of life?

Organization, metabolism, responsiveness, movement, development, growth, and reproduction.

What is metabolism?

The sum of all chemical reactions occurring in the body.

What is responsiveness?

The ability to detect and respond to changes in the internal or external environment.

What is homeostasis?

The maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment despite external changes.

Why is homeostasis important?

It keeps body conditions within normal limits so cells and organs function properly.

What are the components of a homeostatic mechanism?

Receptor, control center, and effector.

What is a receptor?

A structure that detects changes (stimuli) in the internal or external environment.

What is the function of the control center?

It receives information, processes it, and sends instructions to the effector.

What is an effector?

A muscle or gland that responds to commands from the control center.

What is negative feedback?

A mechanism that reverses a change to return the body to normal conditions.

What is positive feedback?

A mechanism that enhances or amplifies a change until a specific event is completed.

Give an example of negative feedback.

Regulation of body temperature or blood glucose levels.

Give an example of positive feedback.

Childbirth or blood clotting.

What are the anatomical position guidelines?

Standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms facing forward, and feet flat facing forward.

What is the superior (cranial) direction?

Toward the head or upper part of the body.

What is the inferior (caudal) direction?

Away from the head or toward the feet.

What is anterior (ventral)?

Toward the front of the body.

What is posterior (dorsal)?

Toward the back of the body.

What is medial?

Toward the midline of the body.

What is lateral?

Away from the midline of the body.

What is proximal?

Closer to the point of attachment or origin.

What is distal?

Farther from the point of attachment or origin.

What is superficial?

Closer to or at the body surface.

What is deep?

Farther away from the body surface.

What are the major body cavities?

Dorsal cavity and ventral cavity.

What structures are found in the dorsal cavity?

The brain and spinal cord.

What structures are found in the ventral cavity?

The thoracic cavity and the abdominopelvic cavity.

What organs are in the thoracic cavity?

Heart, lungs, trachea, esophagus, and thymus.

What organs are in the abdominal cavity?

Stomach, liver, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, small intestine, and most of the large intestine.

What organs are in the pelvic cavity?

Urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum.