Intro to Anatomy and

Physiology

Unit 1: Objectives

1. Review the basic functions of living organisms

2. Define Anatomy and Physiology and gain an understanding of the
relationship between the two
3. Identify major levels of organization in living organisms
4. Understand the basic functions of the various systems in the body
5. Explain the significance of Homeostasis
6. Use anatomical terms to describe body orientation
7. Identify major cavities of human body and their multiple
subdivisions

Unit 1: Vocabulary

Metabolism
Homeostasis
Receptor
Effector
Negative feedback loop
Positive feedback loop
Supine
Transverse plane
Frontal plane (coronal plane)

Sagittal plane
Prone
Anterior
Ventral
Superficial
Deep
Abdominopelvic cavity
Serrous membrane

Unit 1: Vocabulary

Posterior
Dorsal
Cephalic
Superior
Caudal
Inferior
Medial
Lateral

Proximal
Distal
Cranial cavity
Spinal cavity
Thoracic cavity
Pleural cavity
Pericardial cavity
Parietal membrane
Visceral membrane

Unit 1: Vocabulary

Mediastinum
Peritoneal cavity
Peritoneum
Mesenteries

Characteristics of Life

Seven common characteristics of

living things

Characteristics of Life

1. Cellular organization- living organisms are composed of

very small cells which carry out life processes. The cell is
the smallest unit that can be alive. The cells within a
multicellular organism are arranged into tissues and organ
systems
2. Energy requirement- living organisms carry out cellular
respiration which converts energy in food to a form that is
useable by cells for life processes

Characteristics of Life

3. Interaction with the environment- living organisms cannot

live in isolation; they depend on the environment for food and
nutrients. Organisms must maintain a stable internal
environment through homeostasis
4. Reproduction- living organisms have the ability to
reproduce more of their own kind

Characteristics of Life

5. Adaptation- Populations of living organisms are able to

adapt to changing environmental conditions
6. Growth and Development- Organisms grow from a single
cell as an egg, to an adult with millions (or more) cells. Living
organisms also develop into a mature adult form, which is
much different from an egg
7. Living things are based on a universal genetic code. All
organisms store the complex information they need to live,
grow, and reproduce in a genetic code written in a molecule
called DNA

Anatomy and Physiology

anatomy (n.)-The morphological

structure of a plant or an animal or of
any of its parts.
physiology (n.)-The biological study of
the functions of living organisms and
their parts.

Major Levels of Organization

Atom
Molecule
Cells
Tissue
Organ
Organ system
Organism

Major Levels of Organization

Atom and Molecule- chemical level of organization

Cells- smallest unit of life are cellular level of organization
Tissue- similar cells working together
Organ- two or more different tissues work together to perform
specific functions
Organ system- multiple organs work together to perform
specific functions
Organism- organ systems working in sync to create
homeostasis

Major Systems of the Body

Integumentary- skin, nails, hair

Protects and regulates temperature

Major Systems of the Body

Skeletal- bones and cartilage

Support, protection, blood cell formation

Major Systems of the Body

Muscular- muscle
Movement, support, heat

Major Systems of the Body

Nervous system- Brain, spinal cord, nerves

Responds to stimuli, coordinates organ systems

Major systems of the body

Endocrine system- glands

Directs long term changes in organ systems

Major systems of the body

Cardiovascular system- heart, blood vessels

Transportation of materials through body

Major systems of the body

Lymphatic system- lymph nodes, spleen

Immune system

Major systems of the body

Respiratory system- lungs

Delivery of air to gas exchange sites

Major systems of the body

Digestive system- stomach, intestines, liver

Processes food and absorbs materials

Major systems of the body

Urinary system- kidneys

Elimination water, wastes, etc.

The Language of Anatomy

Anatomical Position- hands at side with palms

facing up
Supine- lying face up
Prone- lying face down

The Language of Anatomy

SUPINE
SUPINE

The Language of Anatomy

SUPINE

PRONE

The Language of Anatomy

Anterior

front side

The navel is on the anterior surface of

the trunk.

Ventral

belly side

The legs are located on the ventral side

of the mink.

Posterior

back side

The shoulder blade is located posterior to

the rib cage.

Dorsal

back side

The breathing hole in dolphins is located

on the dorsal side.

The Language of Anatomy

Cephalic

the head

The mass was found on the cephalic end

of the cat.

Superior

above; toward
the head

The nose is superior to the chin.

Caudal

Tail

The fish has a pair of caudal fins.

Inferior

Below

The knees are inferior to the hips.

The Language of Anatomy

Medial

Toward the
midline of the
body

The medial surfaces of the thighs may be

in contact. Moving medially from the arm
across the chest brings you to the
sternum.

Lateral

Away from the

midline of the
body

Moving laterally from the nose brings you

to the eyes.

Proximal

Toward an
attached base

The thigh is proximal to the foot.

Distal

Away from an
attached base

The fingers are distal to the wrist

The Language of Anatomy

Superficial

At or near the
bodys surface

The skin is superficial to underlying

structures.

Deep

Farther from the The bone of the thigh is deep to the

body surface
surrounding skeletal muscles.

Homeostasis

The existence of a stable internal

environment.
Is it constant?
NO!! Unless you are dead.
It is constantly fluctuating

Homeostasis

3 Components to this regulation

1. Receptor- sensitive to a particular change in

the environment
2. Control center- receives and processes the
information from the receptor
3. Effectors- responds to the commands of the
control center

Homeostasis

Response can be either

opposition to stimulus or a negative
feedback loop
Reinforcement of stimulus or a positive
feedback loop

Example: Household Thermostat

Set point 68 degrees

Temperature
decreases (stimulus)

Temperature
increases

Thermometer senses
change (receptor)

Thermostat turns
heat on
(control center)

Set point 98.6

Degrees

Outside temperature
Decreases (stimulus)

Detected by temperature
receptors in skin
(receptor)

Body temp stays

constant

Muscle fibers contract

generate heat
(effectors)

Brain processes info

and sends signal to
Body (control center)

Homeostasis

Positive feedback loop- intensifies

stimulus
Severe cut
Birth

Homeostasis

Negative feedback loop- opposes the

initial stimulus
Regulation of body temp.

PLANES OF THE BODY

Three different sectional planes

1. Transverse plane- divides body into superior

and inferior sections

Transverse Plane

PLANES OF THE BODY

2. Frontal plane/Coronal Plane- divides body into anterior

and posterior sections

PLANES OF THE BODY

3. Sagittal plane- divides the body into left and right sections

Fun WebSite

Buccal
Axillary
Antecubital
Occipital
Abdominal

Cervical
Gluteal
Inguinal

Brachial

Lumbar

Pubic

Scapular

Popliteal

Sural

Femoral

Umbilical

Quadrants of Abdomen

Abdominopelvic quadrants- four

segments that intersect at umbilicus

Right upper quadrant

Right lower quadrant
Left upper quadrant
Left lower quadrant

Quadrants of abdomen

For more precise regional distinctions,

there are nine abdominopelvic regions
used to describe the location of
internal organs

Body Cavities

Serve two functions

1. Protect organs from accidental shocks
and cushion them during walking,
running, jumping, etc.
2. Permit significant changes in size and
shape of visceral organs

Body Cavities

Two main body cavities formed during

embryological developmenteach
has various sub cavities

Body Cavities

1. Dorsal Body Cavity

Cranial cavity- encloses the brain
Spinal cavity- surrounds the spinal cord

Body Cavities

2. Ventral body cavity

Thoracic cavity

Pleural cavity (lungs)

Pericardial cavity (heart)

Abdominopelvic cavity

Abdominal cavity
Pelvic cavity

Body Cavities

Serous Membranes

Thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities contain

spaces lined with serrous membranes (thin,
slippery lining)

Parietal membrane- forms outer wall of body cavity

Visceral membrane- covers surfaces of internal organs

Body Cavities

Space between parietal and visceral

membranes is filled with fluid and
prevents friction

Visceral Pericardium
Parietal Pericardium
Visceral Pleural
Parietal Pleural

Body Cavities

Mediastinum- not considered body

cavity, yet houses pericardial cavity,
thymus gland, trachea, and
esophagus (between two pleural
cavities)

Serous membrane of the peritoneal

cavity is known as the peritoneum

Mink Dissection