SUMMARY

1.1 Anatomy
1. Anatomy is the study of the structures of the body.
2. Systemic anatomy is the study of the body by organ system.
Regional anatomy is the study of the body by areas.
3. Surface anatomy uses the superficial structures to locate deeper structures, and
anatomical imaging is a noninvasive method for examining deep structures.
1.2 Physiology
Physiology is the study of the processes and functions of the body.
1.3 Structural and Functional Organization of the Human Body
1. The human body can be organized into six levels: chemical, cell, tissue, organ,
organ system, and organism.
2. The eleven organ system are the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous,
endocrine, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, urinary, and
reproductive systems.
1.4 Characteristics of Life
The characteristics of life are organization, metabolism, responsiveness, growth,
development, and reproduction.
1.5 Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the condition in which body functions, body fluids, and other factors
of the internal environment are maintained within a range of values suitable to
support life.
Negative Feedback
Negative feedback mechanisms maintain homeostasis.
Positive Feedback
Positive feedback mechanisms make deviations from normal even greater. Most positive
feedback mechanisms are harmful.
1.6 Terminology and the Body Plan
Directional Terms
Directional terms always refer to the anatomical position, regardless of the body’s
actual position.
TERM ETYMOLOGY DEFINITION
Right Toward the body’s right side.
Left Toward the body’s left side.
Interior Lower Below
Superior Higher Above
Anterior To go before Toward the front of the body
Posterior Posterus, following Toward the back of the body
Dorsal Dorsum, back Toward the back
Ventral Venter, belly Toward the belly
Proximal Nearest Closer to a point of attachment
Distal To be distant Farther from a point of attachment
Lateral Side Away from the midline of the body
Medial Middle Toward the middle or midline of the body
Superficial Surface Toward or on the surface
Deep Deep Away from the surface
Body Parts and Regions
1. The body can be divided into the head, neck, trunk, upper limbs, and lower limbs.
2. The abdomen can be divided superficially into four quadrants or nine regions,
which are useful for locating
Planes
1. A sagittal plane divides the body into left and right parts, a transverse plane
divides the body into superior and inferior parts, and a frontal plane divides
the body into anterior and posterior parts.
2. A longitudinal section divides an organ along its long axis, a transverse section
cuts an organ at a right angle to the long axis, and oblique section cuts across
the long axis at an angle other than a right angle.
Body Cavities
1. The thoracic cavity is bounded by the ribs and the diaphragm. The mediastinum
divides the thoracic cavity into two parts.
2. The abdominal cavity is bounded by the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles.
3. The pelvic cavity is surrounded by the pelvic bones.
3.1 Cell Structure
1. Cells are highly organized units containing organelles, which perform specific
functions.
2. The nucleus contains genetic material, and cytoplasm is the living material
between the nucleus and the cell membrane.
3.2 Function of the Cell
1. Cells are the basic unit of life.
2. Cells protect and support the body, as well as provide for cell metabolism
between, communication, and inheritance.
3.3 Cell Membrane
1. The cell membrane forms the outer boundary of the cell. It determines what enters
and leaves the cell.
2. The cell membrane is composed of a double layer of phospholipid molecules in
which proteins float. The proteins function as membrane channels, carrier
molecules, receptor molecules, enzymes, and structural components of the
membrane.
3.4 Movement Through the Cell Membrane
Diffusion
1. Diffusion is the movement of a solute from an area of higher concentration to
an area of lower concentration within a solvent. At equilibrium, the distribution
of molecules in uniform.
2. At concentration gradient is the concentration of a solute at one point in a
solvent minus the concentration of that solute at another point in a solvent
divided by the distance between the points.
3. Lipid-soluble molecules pass through the cell membrane readily by dissolving in
the lipid portion of the membrane. Small molecules and ions can pass through
membrane channels.