1. Chapter 1 The Human Body: An Orientation

2. Anatomy – study of the structure and shape of the body and body parts and their relationship to each other
Gross anatomy – study of large, easily observable structures
Microscopic anatomy – study
of very small structures
Physiology – study of
how the body and its
parts function

3. Structural organization Atoms>cells>tissues>organs>organ systems>organism
Cardiovascular
heart, blood vessels – carries oxygen, nutrients
Lymphatic
lymph nodes, spleen – cleanse blood
Respiratory
lungs – supply oxygen
Digestive
stomach–breakdown and absorb food
Urinary
kidneys – rid body of waste
Reproductive
produce offspring
Organ systems
Integumentary
skin – waterproofs, cushions, protects
Skeletal
bones – support and protection
Muscular
muscles – movement
Nervous
brain, spinal cord – fast control system
Endocrine
glands, hormones – slow control system

4. Necessary life functions
Maintaining boundaries
Movement
Responsiveness (irritability) – ability to sense changes in environment and react to them
Digestion
Metabolism – chemical reactions that occur w/in cells
Excretion – removing excreta (wastes)
Reproduction
Growth – increase in size

5. Survival needs
Nutrients – chemicals used
for energy and cell building
Oxygen – energy reactions
require oxygen
Water – 60-80% of body weight
Body temp maintained at about 37˚C (98˚F)
Atmospheric pressure – breathing depends on appropriate pressure
Too low = lower gas exchange

6. Homeostasis – body’s ability to maintain stable internal conditions
2 main regulating systems: nervous, endocrine
Homeostatic control mechanisms have 3 components
Receptor – responds to stimuli
Sends info on by the afferent pathway
Control center – determines level at which a variable is to be maintained, analyzes info, and determines response
Sends info on by the efferent pathway
Effector – provides the means for a response
Negative feedback – slow/stop original stimulus – maintaining body temp
Positive feedback – speed up/start
Ex. blood clotting, birth

7. Anatomical Position – body’s standard position (arms down with palms forward)
See page to review terms

8. Directional terms (pg. 15)
Superior (cranial) – head end
Inferior (caudal) – tail end
Anterior (ventral) – front, belly
Posterior (dorsal) – back
Medial – midline
Lateral – outer
Intermediate – btw medial and
lateral
Proximal – close to limb attachment
Distal – farther from limb attachment
Superficial (external) – body
surface
Deep (internal)

9. Body planes and sections
Section – cut
Plane – imaginary line
where section is made
Sagittal – lengthwise –
divides into right and left
parts
Midsagittal – in half
lengthwise
Frontal – lengthwise –
divides into anterior and
posterior
Aka coronal section
Transverse – horizontal –
divides into superior and
inferior
Aka cross section

10. Body cavities Dorsal body cavity Cranial cavity Spinal cavity
Ventral body cavity
Thoracic cavity – lungs, heart
Mediastinum – separates lungs
into right and left cavities –
contains heart and trachea
Abdominopelvic cavity
Abdominal cavity – stomach/liver
Pelvic cavity – repro./ bladder
Divided into 9 regions (see pg 21)
Umbilical – surrounding naval
Epigastric – superior to umbilical
Hypogastric – inferior to umbilical
Right/left iliac (inguinal) – lateral to hypogastric
Right/left lumbar – lateral to umbilical
Right/left hypochondriac – lateral to epigastric