A&P Chapter 1 - BASICS

The Human Organism and Anatomical Terminology

anatomy versus physiology

-anatomy: names of the parts and location

-physiology: how each part works and why (know the difference between working right and wrong)

organization levels

-chemical level: interaction of atoms and molecules

-cell level: structural and functional levels of organisms

-tissue level: group of similar cells together (epithelial, connective, muscular, nervous)

-organ level: 2 or more tissues working together

-organ system: 2 or more organs working together

-organism: any living thing with one or more cells

6 properties of life

1. homeostasis/balance

2. response to environment

3. reproduction

4. evolution

5. energy/metabolism

6. growth/development

homeostasis

maintenance of constant internal environment within the body.

-variables (conditions) fluctuate around the set point (ideal normal values) within normal range

feedback loops

allow for processes to be adjusted by an outcome. helps to maintain homeostasis.

negative feedback

regulates systems. counteracts a change in conditions by decreasing change to maintain homeostasis and return to a set point.

positive feedback

response to make change larger until a certain outcome is reached.

-childbirth or blood clotting

-effectors continue the response beyond the set point until original stimulus is removed

receptor

monitors conditions and detects a stimulus

control center

establishes a certain set point and receives input from the receptor

effector

generates a response to change unstable conditions

stimulus

thing or event that causes a reaction in the body

superior (cephallic/cranial) vs. inferior (caudal)

-used to explain directions including JUST the head, neck, and trunk (chest, abdomen, pelvis)

-superior (such as a boss): upwards or above

inferior: downwards or below

anterior (ventral) vs. posterior (dorsal)

-anterior: in front of or towards the front of the body

-posterior: behind or towards the back of the body

proximal vs. distal

-used to explain directions including JUST the arms and legs

-arm point of attachment=shoulders

-leg point of attachment=hips

-proximal (proximity): upwards or closer to the point of attachment

-distal (distance): downwards or further away from the point of attachment

superficial vs. deep

-superficial: closer to the surface of the skin

-deep: further from the surface of the skin

lateral vs. medial

-lateral: towards the side of the body (left or right)

-medial: towards the middle/midline of the body

sagittal plane

runs vertically through the body, splitting into left and right parts

coronal (frontal) plane

splitting the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts

transverse plane

runs horizontally through the body, splitting into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts

oblique plane

not parallel instead cut into diagonal parts

supine vs. prone

-supine: lying face up, on the back

-prone: lying face down, on the stomach

anatomical position

body standing up (erect), face forward, feet together, palms face forward

body cavities

-provides protection and determines the size and shape of the organs

-contains serous membranes

-parietal membrane: touches and lines the cavity

-visceral membrane: covers the organ itself

dorsal body cavity (behind/posterior)

-cranial activity: contains the brain

-vertebral cavity: contains the spinal cord

ventral body cavity (frontal/anterior)

*thoracic cavity*

-pleural cavity: encloses the lungs

-medial mediastinum: encloses the heart, trachea/esophagus, blood vessels

*abdominopelvic cavity*

-abdominal cavity: encloses the digestive organs (stomach, intestines, liver, spleen)

-pelvic cavity: encloses the bladder, ureters/urethra, rectum, and reproductive organs

pericardium

surrounds the heart and contains pericardial fluid

pleura

surrounds the lungs and lines the thoracic cavity. contains pleural fluid

peritoneum

surrounds the abdominal and pelvic cavity. contains peritoneal fluid

mesentery

regions of double-folded visceral peritoneum that is attached to certain parts of the posterior abdominopelvic wall.

retroperitoneum

behind the peritoneum. includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and pancreas.

survival needs of a human

-oxygen

-water

-nutrients/food

-normal body temperature