Anatomy and Physiology
3. Responsiveness - ability to sense
CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION
Anatomy and Physiology allows an
understanding of how the body works and
responds to stimuli.
Anatomy – study of structure (appearance)
Physiology – study of function.
TYPES OF ANATOMY
1. Systemic - studies of body systems
2. Regional - studies body regions
(medical schools/terms)
3. Surface - studies external features,
Ex. Bone projections
4. Anatomical imaging - uses x-rays,
ultrasound, MRI’s
STRUCTURAL LEVELS OF LIFE
1. Chemical - smallest level (Atoms)
2. Cell - basic unit of life (Includes
organelles like Mitochondria,
Nucleus, Ribosomes, etc.)
3. Tissue - group of cells with similar
structure and function plus
extracellular substance. (Epithelial,
Connective, Muscular, Nervous)
4. Organ - 2 or more tissue types
(Skin, Heart, Stomach, etc.)
5. Organ System – group of organs.
6. Organism - all structural levels
working together.
CHARACTERISTICS OF LIFE
1. Organization - 7 structural levels
2. Metabolism - ability to use energy
and uses digestive and respiratory
systems.
changes in environment and make
adjustments.
4. Growth - increase in size
5. Development - changes in cell
structure and function from
generalized to specialized.
6. Reproduction - formation of new
cells or new organisms.
Homeostasis - maintenance of a constant
internal environment. (Body temp., BP, HR,
BR)
• Variable - conditions that change
(Environment temperature)
• Set point - ideal, normal value (120/80 for
BP or 98.6o for body temperature)
Negative Feedback - mechanism that regulates
homeostasis and negative meaning a deviation
from set point. (Ex. Blood pressure)
* It is positive sign.
COMPONENTS OF NEGATIVE
FEEDBACK
1. Control center – brain as it establishes
set point.
2. Receptor - detects changes (variable)
3. Effector - responds to changes
 DIRECTIONAL TERMS
Positive Feedback – is a deviation from set
point becomes greater and makes a bad situation
worse. (Rarely found in healthy people)
* It is negative sign.
1. Superior – above
2. Inferior – below
3. Anterior or Ventral – front
4. Posterior or Dorsal – back
5. Medial – center to midline
6. Lateral – away from midline
7. Proximal – close to point of attach
8. Distal – far from point of attach
9. Superficial – close to the surface
(outside the body)
10. Deep – interior of the body

BODY POSITIONS

1. Anatomical position – facing forward

(standing)
2. Supine – lying face up
3. Prone – lying face down
BODY PLANES BODY CAVITIES

1. Sagittal – vertically (cut) and separates
the body in to left and right.
2. Midsagittal – vertically (cut) divides
the body equally in left and right.
3. Transverse – horizontal (cut) separates
bottom and top of the body.
4. Frontal – vertically (cut) to separate the
anterior (front) and posterior (back) of
the body.
1. Thoracic cavity – space between within
the chest wall and diaphragm (heart,
lungs, thymus gland, esophagus,
trachea)
2. Mediastinum – space between the
lungs, divides thoracic activity in to left
and right.
3. Abdominal cavity – stomach,
intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas,
kidneys.
4. Pelvic cavity – urinary bladder,
reproductive organs, part of the large
intestine

* combination of abdominal and pelvic cavity

is called as abdomino-pelvic cavity.

5. Pericardial cavity – around heart

6. Pleural cavity – around lungs

7. Peritoneal cavity – around abdomino-

pelvic

* There is fluid in the cavities to reduce the

friction.
BODY REGIONS

1. Upper limbs – head to hands

2. Lower limbs – hips to toes
3. Central limbs - head, neck, trunk,
genitals
4. Trunk – chest to pelvis
MEMBRANES
1. Mesentery – a double layered
membrane that covers organs and
anchors them to body wall.
2. Serous membrane – cover organs and
lines the cavity wall.
• Types of Serous Membrane
1. Visceral membrane – cover
organs
2. Parietal membrane – lines cavity
walls
MAJOR ORGANS IN THE BODY
ORGAN SYSTEMS OF THE BODY
Four Quadrants of Abdomen
Nine Quadrants of Abdomen