Chapter 6: The Human Body

Anatomy

The study of physical structure of the body and its components.

Physiology

The study of the normal functions of living organisms and their parts.

Pathophysiology

The study of how normal physiologic processes are affected by disease.

Umbilicus

Navel

Topographic anatomy

The superficial landmarks if the body that serve as guides to the structures that lie beneath them.

Coronal (frontal) plane

Runs vertically through the body and divides it into the front and back sections.

Sagittal (lateral) plane

Runs vertically through the body and divides it into the left and right sections.

Midsagittal (midline) plane

Runs vertically through the body and divides it into equal left and right halves.

Transverse (axial) plane

Divides the body horizontally into top and bottom sections.

Skeletal system

The framework of the body, composed of bones and other connective tissues, that supports and protects internal organs and other body tissues.

Coccyx | Bones

The last three or four vertebrae of the spine; the tail bone.

Thoracic cage | Bones

The chest or rib cage.

Appendicular skeleton | Bones

The portion of the skeletal system that comprises the arms, legs, pelvis, and shoulder girdle.

Joint | Joints

The place where two bones come into contact; also called an articulation.

Ligaments | Joints

Bands of fibrous tissue that connect bones to bones. Ligaments support and strengthen a joint.

Cartilage | Joints

The smooth connective tissue that forms the support structure of the skeletal system and provides cushioning between bones; also forms the nasal septum and portions of the outer ear.

Tendons | Joints

The fibrous connective tissue that attaches muscle to bone.

Symphyses | Joints

• Joints that have grown together to form a very stable connection.

• Slight motion is possible

Joint capsule | Joints

The fibrous sac that encloses a joint.

Sacroiliac joint | Joints

• The connection point between the pelvis and the vertebral column

• Surrounded by tough, thick ligaments, having little motion

Articular cartilage | Joints

A pearly layer of specialized cartilage covering the articular surfaces (contact surfaces on the ends) of bones in synovial joints.

Synovial membrane | Joints

• The lining of a joint that secretes synovial fluid into the joint space

• The inner lining of the joint capsule

Synovial fluid | Joints

The small amount of liquid within a joint used as lubrication.

Ball-and-socket joint | Joints

• A joint that allows internal and external rotation, as well as bending

• E.g., the shoulder joint

Hinge joints | Joints

• Joints that can bend and straighten but cannot rotate; they restrict motion to one plane

• Motion restricted to flexion and extension

Cranium | The Skull

• The part of the skull that encloses the brain and is comprised of eight bones

• Consists of the frontal bones, temporal bones, parietal bones, occipital bone, ethmoid bone, and sphenoid bone

Frontal bones | The Skull

The bones of the cranium that form the forehead.

Temporal bones | The Skull

The lateral bones on each side of the cranium; the temples.

Parietal Bones | The Skull

The bones that lie between the temporal and occipital regions of the cranium.

Occipital bone | The Skull

The most posterior bone of the cranium.

Foramen magnum | The Skull

A large opening at the base of the skull through which the brain connects to the spinal cord.

Maxillae | The Skull

The upper jawbones that assist in the formation of the orbit, the nasal cavity, and the palate and hold the upper teeth.

Mandible | The Skull

The bone of the lower jaw.

Zygomas | The Skull

The quadrangular bones of the cheek, articulating with the frontal bone, the maxillae, the zygomatic processes of the temporal bone, and the great wings of the sphenoid bone.

Orbit | The Skull

The eye socket, made up of the maxilla and zygoma.

Vertebral column | The Spinal Column

The structure formed by the 33 vertebrae, separated by intervertebral disks. It houses and protects the spinal cord; also called the spinal column.

Vertebrae | The Spinal Column

The bones of the vertebral column.

Cervical spine | The Spinal Column

• The portion of the vertebral column consisting of the first seven vertebrae that lie in the neck