Key Terms

  • Homeostasis
  • Superior
  • Anterior
  • Medial
  • Proximal
  • Superficial
  • Central
  • Sagittal plane
  • Transverse plane
  • Frontal plane
  • Dorsal cavity
  • Thoracic cavity

Anatomy and Physiology

  • Anatomy: The branch of science that studies the structure of the body.
  • Physiology: The branch of science that describes how the body functions.
  • Structure and function are closely related.

Levels of Organization

  • Organization from simple to complex:
    • Atoms
    • Molecules
    • Cells
    • Tissues
    • Organs
    • Systems
    • Human organism

Major Organ Systems

  • Integumentary
  • Skeletal
  • Muscular
  • Nervous
  • Endocrine
  • Circulatory
  • Lymphatic
  • Immune
  • Respiratory
  • Digestive
  • Urinary
  • Reproductive

Homeostasis

  • Homeostasis: The body’s ability to maintain a stable internal environment in response to a changing environment.
  • Homeostatic mechanisms help maintain homeostasis.
  • Homeostatic imbalance is associated with various disorders.

Anatomical Position

  • Standing erect
  • Face forward
  • Arms at sides
  • Toes and palms directed forward

Relative Positions

  • Pairs of directional terms:
    • Superior and inferior
    • Anterior and posterior
    • Medial and lateral
    • Proximal and distal
    • Superficial and deep
    • Central and peripheral

Planes and Sections of the Body

  • Transverse plane: Divides the body horizontally into upper and lower portions.
  • Sagittal plane: Divides the body lengthwise into right and left portions.
  • Frontal plane: Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Regional Terms

  • Cephalic, Cranial, Orbital, Buccal, Oral, Cervical, Occipital, Deltoid, Scapular, Sternal, Axillary, Brachial, Antecubital, Abdominal, Umbilical, Inguinal, Pubic, Flank, Lumbar, Gluteal, Digital, Patellar, Femoral, Popliteal, Pedal, Caudal

Cavities of the Body

  • Dorsal cavity
    • Cranial cavity
    • Spinal (vertebral) cavity
  • Ventral cavity
    • Thoracic cavity
      • Pleural cavities
      • Mediastinum
    • Abdominopelvic cavity

Divisions of the Abdominopelvic Cavity

  • Four quadrants: Right upper quadrant, Left upper quadrant, Right lower quadrant, Left lower quadrant
  • Nine regions: Right hypochondriac region, Epigastric region, Left hypochondriac region, Right lumbar region, Umbilical region, Left lumbar region, Right iliac region, Hypogastric region, Left iliac region

References

  • Herlihy B. (2021). The human body in health and illness. (7th edition). Elsevier Inc., Toronto, Canada. 562 p.
  • evolve.elsevier.com