Easy Notes - Chapter 1

Anatomy vs Physiology

  • Structure (what things look like; "cutting up")
  • Function (how body parts work)
  • Structure determines function
    • The shape and arrangement of body parts influence how they work and interact; form fits function.

Levels of Organization

  • 1 Subatomic particles → protons, neutrons, electrons
  • 2 Atom → hydrogen, carbon
  • 3 Molecule → water, glucose
  • 4 Macromolecule → DNA, proteins
  • 5 Organelle → mitochondrion, lysosome
  • 6 Cell → basic unit of life
  • 7 Tissue → group of similar cells (e.g. adipose tissue)
  • 8 Organ → group of tissues (heart, stomach)
  • 9 Organ system → group of organs
    • Axial portion
    • Appendicular portion
  • 10 Organism → whole human

Body Cavities and Body Planes

  • Cranial cavity
  • Vertebral cavity
  • Thoracic cavity
  • Abdominopelvic cavity
  • Axial portion
  • Appendicular portion

Homeostasis

  • Homeostasis = stable internal environment
  • Negative feedback = reverses change
    • Examples: temperature (temp), blood pressure (BP), glucose levels
  • Positive feedback = increases change
    • Examples: clotting, childbirth

Surface and Directional Terms

  • Superficial / Deep (surface / internal)

Body Planes

  • Sagittal plane → left/right portions
  • Transverse plane → top/bottom portions
  • Coronal (frontal) plane → front/back portions

Anatomical Terms (Relative Positions)

  • Superior / Inferior (above / below)
  • Anterior / Posterior (front / back)
  • Medial / Lateral (toward midline / away from midline)
  • Proximal / Distal (closer to / farther from the trunk)