Week 1 (Organisation of the Human Body, Terminology, and Homeostasis)

Atom

Smallest stable units of matter

Elements

A pure substance, consisting only of atoms of the same type (i.e. with the same atomic number)

Molecules and Compounds

Substances consisting of atoms of one or more elements, joined together by a chemical bond

Homeostasis levels

Organism level- Body temp

Organ level- stomach

Cellular level- individual cells

Homeostasis regulation

1- A receptor (sensor)

detects change in conditions

2- A control centre

processes info from receptor

-sends commands to respond

3-An effector

-responds to commands

-induces a response to counteract the change in conditions

Negative Feedback

-the actions of the effectors opposes the change in original conditions

-primary mechanism of regulation - it provides stability

Positive feedback

-the actions of the effectors magnifies and enhances the change in original conditions

-Positive feedback loops will continue to amplify the initial change until stimulus is removed

-typically occurs when a potentially dangerous or stressful process must be completed

Anatomical Position

Standing Upright

Facing forward at observer

Mouth is closed and facial expression is neutral

Arms by the side and palms of hands facing forward

toes pointing forwards

Superior

Towards the head

-nose superior to mouth

Inferior

Towards the toe

-stomach inferior to heart

Anterior

Towards the “front” (nose is anterior to brain)

-ventral=the anterior surface

-palmer=the anterior surfaces of the hand

-plantar=the base surface of the foot

Posterior

Towards the “back”

-dorsal= the posterior surface

-scapula posterior to ribs

Rostral

Towards the superior-anterior tip

Rostral

Towards the superior-anterior tip

caudal=towards the inferior-posterior tip

Medial

Nearer to the midline

-umbilicus medial to elbow

Lateral

Father from the midline

-thumb is lateral to the little finger

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body as another body structure

-right arm and right leg are ipsilateral

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body as another body structure

-left elbow and right elbow are contralateral

Axial

Axial body- centre body mass (midline)

Appendicular body

limb off the trunk

Proximal

nearer to the axial body attachment

-knee is proximal to foot

Distal

Further from the axial body attachment

-wrist is distal to elbow

Sagittal plane/mid-sagittal/para-sagittal

sagittal- divides the body into left and right

mid-sagittal-equal halves

para-sagittal- unequal halves

Transverse Plane

divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions

Frontal Plane

divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions