Anatomy and Physiology: Body Structure, Function, and Body Plan

Anatomy

Study of body structure and relationships

Physiology

Study of how body parts function

Chemical level

Atoms combine to form molecules

Cellular level

Cells are made of molecules

Tissue level

Groups of similar cells working together

Organ level

Different tissues working together

Organ system level

Organs working together

Organismal level

All systems working together (human body)

Anatomical position

Standing upright, arms at sides, palms forward, head and feet forward

Superior (cranial)

Toward the head

Inferior (caudal)

Toward the feet

Anterior (ventral)

Toward the front

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back

Medial

Toward the midline

Lateral

Away from the midline

Proximal

Closer to point of attachment

Distal

Farther from point of attachment

Superficial

Toward the surface

Deep

Away from the surface

Sagittal plane

Divides body into left and right

Midsagittal plane

Divides into equal left and right halves

Parasagittal plane

Divides left and right unequally

Transverse plane

Divides upper and lower halves

Coronal (frontal) plane

Divides front and back halves

Dorsal body cavity

Cranial and vertebral cavities

Cranial cavity

Contains the brain

Vertebral cavity

Contains the spinal cord

Ventral body cavity

Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

Pleural cavity

Contains lungs

Pericardial cavity

Contains heart

Mediastinum

Contains trachea, esophagus, heart

Abdominal cavity

Contains liver, stomach, intestines, spleen, pancreas, kidneys

Pelvic cavity

Contains bladder and uterus

Maintaining boundaries

Separates internal and external environment

Movement

Muscle contraction, breathing, digestion, blood flow

Responsiveness

Ability to sense and respond to stimuli

Digestion

Breakdown of food mechanically and chemically

Metabolism

All chemical reactions in the body

Catabolism

Breakdown of molecules for energy

Anabolism

Building larger molecules using energy

Excretion

Removal of wastes (urine, feces, CO2)

Reproduction

Production of new cells or new organism

Growth

Increase in size of body or organs

Homeostasis

Maintaining stable internal conditions

Receptor

Sensor that detects change

Control center

Interprets information and decides response

Effector

Carries out the response

Negative feedback

Reverses original stimulus

Positive feedback

Enhances original stimulus

Negative feedback example

Sweating when hot, shivering when cold

Positive feedback example

Oxytocin during childbirth