Chapter 1

Language of Anatomy
Biology study of life
Anatomy Greek word for a cutting open
Study of structure (morphology) of body parts,
their forms and how they are organized

Physiology
Study of the functions of body parts, what they
do, how they do it and why these functions
occur
Structure of our body make the functions possible.
Hands grasp, mouth opens for food, heart pumps blood

Levels of Organization
Atoms
Molecules
Macromolecules
Cells
Tissues
Organs
Organ Systems
Organism

 Atoms microscopic
particles that join to
form molecules the
smallest unit of
measure
Molecules more
than one atom
Macromolecules
very large molecules
Carbohydrates, lipids,
proteins, nucleic acids

 Cells the basic unit of

structure and function
Microscopic
Vary in shape, size and
special functions

Contain organelles
Carry out specific activities
Composed of proteins, carbs,
lipids and nucleic acids

Tissues organized
cells the have common
functions

 Organs groups of
tissues that perform
specialized
functions
Stomach, heart, lungs

Organ systems
organs function
closely together
cardiovascular system,
digestive system,
respiratory system.

Overview

Traits of all living organisms

Responsiveness
Property of Irritability: the body always responds to any
changes within the body
Property of Adaptability: the body can make long term
changes
Growth: from the moment of fertilization, all cells grow and
become specialized
Reproduction
Digestion: breakdown of food by the body into nutrients
Respiration: exchange of O2 and CO2
Circulation: of nutrients and O2 to body parts
Metabolism all chemical processes in the body
Absorption: of nutrients and O2
Assimilation: changing nutrients into chemicals the body
can use
Excretion: removal of harmful waste produced by the body

Requirements to maintain life

Homeostasis
The maintenance of a relatively constant
internal environment in an organism
All body functions operate within very narrow limits

Human body has control systems:

Receptors: provide info about certain conditions in the
internal environment
Set Point: what the particular value should be (body
temperature)
Effectors: cause responses that change conditions in
the internal environment

How it works
Negative Feedback (corrects deviations)
Receptors sense a deviation from set point and
effectors work to return body to set point
Ex. Too hot, body sweats to lower body temp
Too cold, we shiver

Positive Feedback (intensifies response)

Receptors sense that the body needs more power
and the effectors respond by increasing or
strengthening what is happening
Ex. Child birth, increases strength of uterine contractions

Body Cavities
Dorsal Body Cavity (filled with fluid)
Includes cranial and vertebral cavity

Ventral Body Cavity (filled with air)

Includes thoracic and abdominopelvic
cavities

Thoracic Cavity
Contains pericardial cavity
Divided into 2 compartments by the
mediastinum (contains heart, aorta,
esophagus, trachea & thymus)
Separates R and L pleural cavities

Abdominal Cavity (* diaphragm)

Viscera: stomach, liver, spleen,
gallbadder, kidneys, most of sm/lg
intestines

Pelvic Cavity
Viscera: end of lg intestine, urinary
bladder, internal reproductive organs

Smaller Cavities

Oral Cavity
Nasal Cavity
Orbital
Middle Ear

Membrane Linings
Parietal Linings membranes
that are attached to the wall of
a cavity
ex. Parietal pleural (thoracic
cavity)

Visceral Linings
membranes covering an
internal organ
ex. Visceral peritoneum
(abdominal viscera)
These linings are separated by
a thin film of watery fluid called
serous fluid

Potential Space

Pleural Cavity filled with lungs

Pericardial Cavity filled with the heart
Peritoneal Cavity filled with abdominal viscera

Integumentary System
Body Covering
Hair, finger & toe
nails
Skin
Protects underlying
tissues
Helps to regulate body
temp
Contains many
receptors
Mechanical defense

Support and Movement

Skeletal System
Bones, ligaments,
cartilage
Provides framework
for the body
Protects soft tissue
Stores minerals
Produces blood cells

Muscular System
Muscles Provide
forces that move
body parts
Main source of body
heat
Support internal
organs

Integration & Coordination

Nervous System
Brain, spinal cord, nerves,
sensory organs
Communicate with each other:
Send out and receive nerve
impulses
Act as receptors
Stimulate other systems of the
body to react
Directs immediate response

Endocrine system
Hypothalamus (brain),
pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid,
adrenal glands, pancreas,
ovaries, testes, pineal gland,
thymus
Secrete chemical messengers
called hormones
Long term changes

Transport

responsible for transporting substances thru the internal

environment

Cardiovascular
System

Heart, arteries, veins,

capillaries, blood
Transports:
Nutrients, wastes,
blood cells and O2

Lymphatic System
Lymph vessels, lymph
fluid, lymph nodes,
thymus, spleen
Defends:
Against infections
and provides
immunity to the body

Absorption & Excretion

Digestive System
Mouth, tongue, teeth, salivary
glands, pharynx, esophagus,
stomach, liver, gallbladder,
pancreas, sm/lg intestines
Receive food, breakdown the
food for
absorption,eliminates waste

Respiratory System
Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx,
trachea, bronchi, lungs
Moves air in and out, gas
exchange between blood
and air

Urinary System
Kidneys, ureters, urinary
bladder, urethra
Removes waste from blood,
helps maintain electrolyte
balance
Eliminates excess H20, salts
and wastes

Reproduction

Reproductive System reproduces a whole new

organism
Female ovaries, uterine tubes, uterus, vagina, clitoris, vulva
Male scrotum, testes, epididymis, ductus deferens, eminal
vesicles, prostate gland, bulbourethral glands, penis, urethra

Anatomical Terminology
Anatomical position

Upright
Facing forward
Arms at sides
Palms facing forward

*anatomical position is used when

describing the relative positions of
the body parts

Supine lay down, face up

Prone lay down, face down

Positions

relate to imaginary planes where cuts might be made

Superior above or toward the head

Inferior below or toward the feet
Anterior/ventral toward the front
Posterior/dorsal toward the back
Medial toward imaginary midline

Lateral away from imaginary

midline, toward the side

(divides body into equal R and L halves)

Bilateral, ipsilateral, contralateral

Proximal closer to the point of

attachment to the trunk
Distal opposite to proximal, point
further away from attachment to
the trunk than another body part
Superficial near the surface
Deep more internal than superficial
parts

Planes
Sagittal lengthwise
plane that divides the
body into R/L portions
Midsagittal Sagittal
plane that divides the
body into equal L/R
halves
Transverse plane that
divides the body into
superior & inferior parts
Coronal (frontal) plane
that divides the body into
anterior & posterior parts

Body Regions
Epigastric upper middle
L/R hypochondriac L & R
of epigastric
Umbilical belly button area
L/R Lumbar L & R of
umbilical region
Hypogastric lower middle
L/R Iliac L & R of
hypogastric

4 Abdominal Quadrants
Used to describe
where abdominal pain
is located

Right Upper (RUQ)

Left Upper (LUQ)
Right Lower (RLQ)
Left Lower (LLQ)