Human Biology

There is a magic to being human. Our

bodies let us participate in the world
around us in ways unlike any other animal.
As humans we have a wide range of
wondrous abilities. We can move with
grace and precision, learn intricate tasks,
feel deep emotion and survive in an everchanging environment.

There are may likenesses between

machines and the human body. But it is the
differences that make us better than
machines. The body can grow. Machines
cannot. Cameras can see and computers
can learn in a way. But machines cannot
feel, see, think & learn as humans do. The
body can repair worn-out parts and even
produce new humans.
Most important, the human body has a
very special quality-it is alive.

I. Definitions
Anatomy is the study of the structure
and shape of the body and body parts
and their relationships to one another.
Gross anatomy examining large easily
observable body structures.
Microscope anatomy examining cells and
tissues using a microscope.

I. Definitions (cont)
Physiology is the study of how the
body and its parts work or function.
Neurophysiology explains how the
nervous system works.
Cardiac physiology studies the functions
of the heart.

Anatomy and physiology are always

related. FORM FOLLOWS
FUNCTION.

 The human body consists of chemical

elements which are substances that
cannot be broken down into simpler
substances by ordinary means.
E.g ; carbon, Hydrogen, nitrogen & O2
Na, Ca, Fe, P,K

II. BODY CHEMISTRY

Atoms building blocks of
matter. They combine to form:
Molecules water, sugars, and
proteins.
Molecules associate in specific
ways to form cells.

II. Levels of
Organization (Cont)

Cells are the smallest units of all living things.

Cells that are similar and have a common
function are called tissues.
An organ is a structure, composed of two or
more tissue types, that performs a specific
function for the body.
A group of organs that cooperate to accomplish
a common purpose is called an organ system.
All 11 organ systems make up an organism.

II. Levels of
Organization

Integumentary System
External covering of the body
Waterproofs, cushions and protects
Excretes salts and urea in sweat and
helps regulate body temperature
Sense organ pain and pressure

Skeletal System
Bone, cartilage, ligaments, and joints
Support and protection
Attachment of the skeletal muscles
Hematopoiesis the formation of
blood cells
Store house of minerals

Muscular System
Only one function contract
Movement occurs when muscles contract
Three types of muscle tissue
Skeletal muscles - movement
Cardial muscles - heart contraction
Smooth muscles intestines, internal organs

Nervous System
Fast-acting control system
Consists of the brain, spinal
cord, nerves, and sensory
receptors.
The body must be able to
respond to stimuli.
The Central Nervous system
assesses the information
received and responds.

Endocrine System
Slow acting control system of the
body.
Produces and releases hormones into
the blood.
Includes pituitary, thyroid, adrenals,
thymus, pancreas, pineal, ovaries,
testes, and parathyroid glands.

Cardiovascular System
Made up of the heart and blood
vessels.
Blood is the transporting fluid
Carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones,
and other substances to and from
the cells where waste is exchanged
and removed.

Lymphatic System
Closely related to the cardiovascular system.
Includes lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and
other organs like the spleen and tonsils.
Fluid leaks from the blood vessels and this
system returns the fluid back to the
circulatory system.
Lymph nodes help cleanse the blood and
house the cells involved in immunity.

Respiratory System
Keep the body constantly supplied
with oxygen and remove carbon
dioxide.
Includes nasal passages, pharynx,
larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
Lungs have tiny air sacs in which gas
exchange occurs

Digestive System
Tube within a tube system running from
the mouth to the anus.
Includes the oral cavity (mouth),
esophagus, stomach, small and large
intestines, and the rectum.
Break down food into usable
macromolecules.
Large intestines job is to reclaim water.

Urinary System
The body produces waste which must be
removed.
Nitrogenous wastes (urea and uric acid)
must be removed.
Sometimes called the excretory system
Includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and
urethra.
Maintains bodys water and salt balance

Reproductive System

Produce offspring
Sperm produced by testes
Eggs produced by ovaries
Fertilization occurs when sperm is
deposited into the female by the
penis.

HOMEOSTASIS
The key to understanding the interactions
of the body systems as well as disease and
wellness is understanding homeostasis.
Homeostasis is the bodys ability to
maintain relatively stable internal
conditions even though the outside world is
continuously changing.

The Language of
Anatomy
To accurately describe body parts and
position we have to have a reference point
that is accepted universally. This is
helpful when the coroner finds a body and
must describe the body.
Anatomical position The assumption that
the body is erect with the feet parallel and
the arms hanging at the sides with the
palms facing forward.

Directional Terms

(pg. 12)

Superior/cranial/cephalad

Toward the head or upper part of

the body or structure; above

Inferior (caudal)

Anterior (ventral)

Away from the head end or toward

the lower part of a body or
structure; below
Toward the front of the body (belly)

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward the back of the body; behind

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the

body; on the inner side of
Away from the midline of the body;
on the outer side of
Between a medial and lateral
structure

Lateral
Intermediate

Directional Terms (pg. 12)

Proximal

Close to the origin of the body part

or the point of attachment of a limb
to the body trunk

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body

part or the point of attachment of a
lumb to the body truck

Superficial

Toward or at the body surface

Deep

Away from the body surface; more

internal

Anterior Body Landmarks

(pg. 13)

Abdominal

Anterior body trunk inferior to the

ribs

Antecubital

Anterior surface of the elbow

Axillary

Armpit

Brachial

Arm

Buccal

Cheek area

Carpal

Wrist

Cervical

Neck region

Anterior Body Landmarks

(pg 13)

Digital

Fingers and toes

Femoral

Thigh

Inguinal

Area where thigh meets the trunk

Nasal

Nose area

Oral

Mouth

Orbital

Eye area

Patellar

Anterior knee

Anterior Body Landmarks

(pg 13)
Peroneal

Lateral part of the leg

Pubic

Genital region

Sternal

Breasbone area

Tarsal

Ankle region

Thoracic

Chest

Umbilical

Navel

Posterior Body Landmarks

(pg 13)
Cephalic

Head

Deltoid

Curve of the shoulder

Gluteal

Butt

Lumbar

Lower back

Occipital

Posterior surface of the head

Popliteal

Posterior knee area

Scapular

Shoulder blade region

Sural

The area of the calf muscle

Vertebral

Area of the spine

Body Planes

(pg 14)

Body planes and sections can be used to

describe either the entire body or any part
of the body such as an organ.
There are several ways to cut body.

Sagittal section cut down the middle to create

left and right sides. (aka midsagittal or median
section if the cut makes equal sides)
Frontal or coronal section a cut that divides
the body into anterior and posterior sides.
Transverse or cross sections A cut is made
along the horizontal plane dividing the body into
superior and inferior parts.

Body Cavities & Regions

The inside of the human body contains
the viscera, or internal organs. The
viscera are found in any of a number
of cavities (spaces) within the body.
The two principal body cavities are
the dorsal body cavity and the ventral
body cavity. Because these spaces are
so large, they are subdivided into
smaller units.

 Cranial cavity-within the skull

Organ: Brain
Spinal cavity-within the vertebral
column
Organ :spinal cord
Thoracic cavity- within the rib cage
Pleural cavities-left one third and
right one third of the thoracic cavity
Organ: Lung

 Mediastinum- middle one third of thorax

Organs: heart, trachea, esophagus
Abdominopelvic cavity- from the diaphragm
to the bottom of the trunk
Abdominal cavity-from the diaphragm to
the rim of the pelvic bones
Organs: stomach , liver, most of the
intestines, pancreas, spleen, kidneys
Pelvic cavity- from the pelvic rim to the
floor of the trunk
Organs: portions of the intestines, ovaries,
uterus, urinary bladder

 Right hypochondriac region- top right

region (hypochondriac means below rib
cartilage)
Epigastric region- top middle region
(epigastric means near the stomach)
Left hypochondriac region- top left
region
Right Lumbar region- middle right
region (lumbar refers to lumbar
vertbrae in lower back)

 Umbilical region-central region

(umbilical refers to the umbilicus, or
navel)
Left Lumbar region- middle left
region (lumbar refers to the lumbar
vertabrae in lower back)
Right Iliac region- Lower right region
(iliac refers to ilium, the bowl-like
part of the hip bone)
Hypogastric region- lower middle
region (hypogastric means below the
stomach)

 Left iliac region- lower left region

SURFACE REGIONS
Abdominal-area overlying the
abdominal cavity
Antebrachial- forearm
Axillary- armpit
Brachial-upper arm
Buccal-cheek (side of mouth)
Carpal-wrist
Cervical-neck

Coxal-hip
Crural-anterior lower leg(shin)
Cubital- anterior of elbow
Femoral-upper leg (thigh)
Mental-chin
Orbital- eye
Patellar-anterior knee joint
Pubic-lower front of trunk, between
legs

Tarsal-ankle
Thoracic-chest
Cervical-neck
Gluteal-buttocks
Lumbar-lower back
Occipital-posterior of head
Popliteal-posterior of knee joint
Scapular-shoulder blade
Sural-calf
Thoracic-upper back