Chapter 1 Notes: Intro to Human Body

Anatomy and Physiology

  • Anatomy: Study of the body's structure.
  • Physiology: Study of how the body functions.
  • Structure and function are closely related.

Levels of Organization

  • Atoms
  • Molecules
  • Cells
  • Tissues
  • Organs
  • Organ systems
  • Human organism

Major Organ Systems

  • Integumentary: skin, hair, nails; regulates temperature, sensation.
  • Skeletal: bones, joints, cartilage; supports, protects, enables movement.
  • Muscular: skeletal, smooth, & cardiac; responsible for movement, posture.
  • Nervous: brain, spinal cord, nerves; sensory information, decision-making.
  • Endocrine: glands secreting hormones; regulates growth, reproduction, metabolism.
  • Circulatory: heart, blood vessels, blood; transports nutrients, oxygen, waste.
  • Lymphatic: lymph nodes, vessels; fluid balance, defends against pathogens.
  • Immune: defense system; protects from pathogens, allergens, cancer cells.
  • Respiratory: lungs; oxygen intake, carbon dioxide removal.
  • Digestive: ingests, breaks down, absorbs food.
  • Urinary: kidneys; excretes waste, controls water, electrolyte, acid-base balance.
  • Reproductive: organs for reproduction.

Homeostasis

  • Body's ability to maintain a stable internal environment.
  • Homeostatic mechanisms help maintain stability.
  • Imbalance associated with disorders.

Anatomical Position

  • Standing erect, face forward, arms at sides, palms forward.

Relative Positions

  • Superior & inferior
  • Anterior & posterior
  • Medial & lateral
  • Proximal & distal

Planes of the Body

  • Sagittal: divides into right & left.
  • Frontal: divides into anterior & posterior.
  • Transverse: divides into superior & inferior.

Body Cavities

  • Dorsal:
    • Cranial cavity.
    • Spinal (vertebral) cavity.
  • Ventral:
    • Thoracic cavity:
    • Right & left pleural cavities.
    • Mediastinum.
    • Pericardial cavity.
    • Abdominopelvic cavity:
    • Abdominal cavity.
    • Pelvic cavity.

Abdominopelvic Cavity Divisions

  • Four quadrants.
  • Nine regions.

Other Cavities

  • Oral cavity
  • Nasal cavities
  • Orbital cavities
  • Middle ear cavities

Medical Terminology Word Parts

  • Word root: core of the word (e.g., hepat- for liver).
  • Suffix: attached at the end of the word root (e.g., -itis for inflammation).
  • Prefix: attached to the beginning of the word root (e.g., mal- for bad).