Introduction to the Human Anatomy and Physiology

The study of the body’s structure and its parts

Anatomy

The study of the functions of the parts

Physiology

The study of the structure and organization of the body parts

Anatomy

The study of how the body parts function together to support life

Physiology

What are the Levels of the Structural Organization?

Chemical Level
Cellular Level
Tissue Level
Organ Level
Organ System Level
Organism Level

Considered as the smallest level; focused on atoms and molecules

Chemical Level

The basic unit of life; are made from molecules

Cellular Level

Cells that are similar and grouped for a specific function

Tissue Level

What are the four main types of tissue?

Epithelial Tissue
Connective Tissue
Muscle Tissue
Nervous Tissue

Covers the surfaces, lines organs, and forms glands

Epithelial Tissue

Serves as support and binds bones, blood, cartilage, and fat

Connective Tissue

Tissue that is focused on movement

Muscle Tissue

Type of tissue that communicates and controls

Nervous Tissue

Level where it is made by two or more types of tissue working together

Organ Level

This is where organs are grouped to work together for a major function

Organ System Level

The level where all organs are working together to sustain life

Organism Level

What are eleven body systems?

Nervous System
Endocrine System
Cardiovascular/Circulatory System
Respiratory System
Lymphatic/Immune System
Digestive System
Urinary/Excretory System
Reproductive System
Skeletal System
Integumentary System
Muscular System

Controls the body’s activities/provides the body’s response through nerve impulses

Nervous System

Responsible for the regulation of the body’s function through hormones

Endocrine System

Circulation and transportation of nutrients and oxygen

Cardiovascular/Circulatory System

Responsible for the gas exchange of the body

Respiratory System

Responsible for the defense of pathogens (diseases)

Lymphatic/Immune System

Breaks down food, eliminates waste, and absorbs the nutrients that the body needs

Digestive System

Eliminates waste and regulates fluid balance

Urinary/Excretory System

Responsible for reproduction; producing offspring

Reproductive System

Provides the structure and support of the body; framework of the body

Skeletal System

Protects the body and helps regulate body temperature

Integumentary System

Facilitates the movement of the body whether it is voluntary or involuntary

Muscular System

Body facing forward, arms at the side, and palms facing forward. What body position is this describing?

Anatomical Position

Toward the head or upper structure of the body. What directional term is this?

Superior

Away from the head and lower part of the structure. What directional term is this?

Inferior

Toward the front of the body

Anterior/Ventral

Toward the back of the body

Posterior/Dorsal

Toward the midline of the body

Medial

Away from the midline of the body

Lateral

Closer to the point of attachment/origin

Proximal

Farther or away from the point of attachment/origin

Distal

An imaginary flat surface that divides the body into sections

Body Planes

This is the left and right division of the body

Sagittal Plane

This is the front and back division of the body

Frontal/Coronal Plane

This is the upper and lower division of the body

Transverse Plane

The body’s ability to maintain/adjust stable internal conditions

Homeostasis

Feedback that detects the change and reverses it back to normal

Negative Feedback

Feedback that detects change and intensifies it until there is a definite endpoint

Positive Feedback

Give an example of Negative and Positive Feedback

Negative: Temperature Regulation
Positive: Childbirth/Labor

What do you call the process where blood vessels widen?

Vasodilation

What do you call the process where blood vessels narrow?

Vasoconstriction

What are the basic survival needs?

Nutrients
Oxygen
Water
Normal Body Temperature
Appropriate Atmospheric Pressure

Are fluid-filled spaces within the body that house and protect vital organs

Body Cavity/Body Cavities

How many body cavities are there?

2

Cavity that is located at the back of the body

Dorsal Cavity

What are the two cavities found in the Dorsal Cavity?

Cranial Cavity
Spinal Cavity

Cavity that encloses the brain, protected by the skull

Cranial Cavity

Cavity that contains the spinal cord and is surrounded by the vertebral column

Spinal Cavity

What are the seven vertebral columns?

Cervical Column
Thoracic Column
Lumbar Column
Sacrum Column
Coccyx Column

How many bones are fused in each Vertebral Column?

Cervical: 7
Thoracic: 12
Lumbar: 5
Sacrum: 5
Coccyx: 4

Cavity that is located at the front of the body

Ventral Cavity

What are the two cavities found in the Ventral Cavity?

Thoracic Cavity
Abdominopelvic Cavity

Cavity that is enclosed by the ribs and contains the lungs and the heart

Thoracic Cavity

A space between the pleurae, surrounding each lung

Pleural Cavity

A fluid-filled space between the layers of the pericardium, surrounding the heart

Pericardial Cavity

Give a function of the Pleural and Pericardial Cavity

Pleural: Respiration; allowing the lungs to contract and expand smoothly
Pericardial: Provides lubrication and protection

Pleura that covers the lungs

Visceral Pleura

Pleura that lines the chest walls and diaphragm

Parietal Pleura

A fluid in the pleural cavity; lubricates the surface of the pleurae

Pleural Fluid

A double-walled sac surrounding the heart and the roots of major blood vessels

Pericardium

What are the main types of the Pericardium?

Fibrous Pericardium
Serous Pericardium

Cavity that is located below the thoracic cavity and is separated from it by the diaphragm

Abdominopelvic Cavity

Houses organs like the stomach, liver, and intestines

Abdominal Cavity

Houses the bladder and reproductive organs

Pelvic Cavity