1: Organisation of the Body

Science

A broad field of inquiry that attempts to understand nature in a rational and logical manner.

Hypothesis

An idea formed from observations and experiments.

Experiment

A series of tests of a hypothesis.

Controlled experiments

Experiments that eliminate any influences or biases not being directly tested.

Theory

A hypothesis that has been supported by experiments and shown to have a high degree of confidence.

Laws

A theory with an unusually high level of confidence or an observable occurrence that appears to be always true.

Anatomy

The study of the structure of an organism and the relationship of its parts.

Gross Anatomy

The study of body parts visible to the naked eye.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of body parts with a microscope.

Cytology

The study of cells.

Histology

The study of tissues.

Developmental Anatomy

The study of human growth and development.

Pathological Anatomy

The study of diseased body structures.

Systemic Anatomy

The study of the body by systems.

Physiology

The science that deals with the function of living organisms; how the body works.

1. Organism involved

2. Organisational level

3. System function

Three Subdivision of Physiology

Metabolism

The sum of reactions that occur throughout the body within each cell to provide energy.

International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA)

A committee that publishes universal standard anatomical terminology.

Terminologia Anatomica (TA)

A published list of gross anatomy.

Terminologia Histologica (TH)

A published list of microscopic anatomy.

Eponyms

Terms based on a person’s name.

Autopoiesis

A concept where living organisms self-organize or self-maintain.

Cell theory

any independent structure made up of one or more microscopic units are called cells in a living organism.

Metabolism

the whole sum of reactions that occur throughout the body within each cell and that provide the body with energy

Responsiveness

The ability of an organism to sense, monitor, and respond to changes.

Conductivity

The capacity of living cells to transmit electrical disturbances.

Growth

Organized increase in the size and number of cells, tissues, and organs.

Respiration

The exchange of respiratory gases between an organism and its environment.

Digestion

The breakdown of complex food products into simpler substances.

Absorption

The movement of molecules through a membrane into body fluids for transport to cells.

Secretion

The production and release of bodily substances for various functions.

Excretion

The removal of wastes from the body.

Circulation

The movement of bodily fluids from one area to another continuously.

Reproduction

The formation of new individual offspring.

Chemical Level

This level of organisation consists of the smallest unit of matter, including atoms and molecules.

Cellular Level

This level of organisation consists of the smallest structural units that exhibit the basic characteristics of living matter.

Organelle Level

This level of organisation consists of the subunits of cells that perform specific functions.

Tissue Level

This level of organisation consists of the group of cells that develop together and perform a certain function.

Organ Level

This level of organisation consists of the structures made up of different kinds of tissues performing specific functions.

System Level

The most complex level of organisational unit involving various organs performing complex functions.

Organism Level

This level of organisation where in a living thing can function independently, the highest form of level in an organism.

Atoms

smallest unit of matter, so small they are invisible.

Molecules

combination of atoms to form larger chemical groups.

Macromolecules

combination or larger and more complex molecules.

Cytoplasm

a gel-like material made of fluids, particles, and membranes; this fills the inside of the cells.

Cells

smallest and structural units that possess and exhibit the basic characteristics of a living matter.

Fat cells

cells that are structurally modified to permit the storage of fats.

Cardiac muscle cells

cells that able to contract with great force.

Organelles

subunit of cells which performs specific functions within it; Tiny organs that allow cells to live.

Mitochondria

powerhouse of the cell—which provides energy that needed by the cell.

Golgi apparatus

set of sacs that provides packaging services to the cell by storing material for future use.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER)

network of channels within the cell that act as highways for movement of chemicals, and acts as sites for chemical processes.

Tissue

a group of cells that all developed together from the same part of the embryo and perform a certain function.

Epithelial, Connective, Muscle, Nervous

Four (4) Major Tissues

Epithelial Tissues

tissues that forms the covering of internal and external surfaces of the body.

Connective Tissues

tissues that supports, protects, and gives structure to other tissues and organs in the body.

Muscle Tissues

tissues that have the special ability to shorten or contract in order to produce movement of the body parts.

Nervous Tissues

tissues that are the main component of the nervous system.

Organ

a structure made up of different kinds of tissues arranged together to perform specific functions.

Systems

the most complex of the organisational units; it involves varying numbers and kinds of organs and together, they perform complex functions in the body.

Integumentary System

body system for protection, temperature regulation, sensation

Skeletal System

body system for support, protection, movement, mineral and fat storage, blood production

Muscular System

body system for movement, posture, heat production

Nervous System

body system for control, regulation, coordination of other systems, sensation, memory

Endocrine System

body system for control and regulation of other systems, releases hormones

Cardiovascular System

body system for exchange and transport of materials

Lymphatic/Immune System

body system for immunity, fluid balance

Respiratory System

body system for gas exchange, acid-base balance

Digestive System

body system for breakdown and absorption of nutrients, eliminates waste

Urinary System

body system for excretion of waste, fluid and electrolyte balance, acid-base balance

Reproductive System

body system for reproduction, continuity of genetic information, nurturing of offspring.

Microbiome

a set of interacting communities of bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit the human body; microbial systems influence normal body functions

Human microbiome

the microorganisms that live in or on a particular part of the body.

Organism

a living thing that has an organized structure, can react to stimuli, reproduce, grow, adapt, and maintain homeostasis.

Human Body

the physical substance of the human organism, composed of living cells and extracellular materials and organized into tissues, organs, and systems.

Anatomical position

the body is in an erect, or standing, posture with the arms at the side and palms forward. It is the reference position that gives meaning to the directional terms used to describe body parts and regions.

Bilateral symmetry

the right and left sides of the body mirror images of each other. Its important feature is the balanced proportions.

Ipsilateral position

placement of a body part meaning same side.

Contralateral position

placement of a body part meaning opposite side.

Supine position

position where the body is lying face upward.

Prone position

position where the body is lying face downward.

Cavity

any hollow within the body or its organs.

Dorsal Cavity, Ventral Cavity

Two (2) Major Body Cavities

Dorsal Body Cavity

Cavity in the back part of the body.

Cranial Cavity, Spinal Cavity

Areas of Dorsal Body Cavity

Cranial Cavity

A space within the skull.

Spinal Cavity

A cavity that lies within hollow spinal canal.

Ventral Body Cavity

Cavity on the front side of the trunk.

Thoracic Cavity

A cavity located above the diaphragm, consists of mediastinum and pleural cavity.

Abdominopelvic Cavity

A cavity located below the diaphragm.

Mediastinum

mid-portion of thoracic cavity.

Pleural Cavity

entire space to the sides of the mediastinum.

Parietal Pericardium

the outer layer that's firmly attached to your fibrous pericardium.

Visceral Pericardium

the innermost layer of pericardium; it covers heart and the roots of your great vessels.

Parietal Peritoneum

the membrane lining the inside of the abdominal cavity.

Visceral Peritoneum

the membrane that covers the organs within the abdominal cavity.

Peritoneal Cavity

the space between the two membranes in the abdomen.

Axial Portion

portion of the body consists of the head, neck, and torso, or trunk.

Appendicular Portion

portion of the body consists of the upper and lower extremities and their connections to the axial portion.

Upper extremity (limb)

shoulder, arm, forearm, wrist, and hand components