CHAPTER 2

INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY
 ▪ OVERVIEW
▪ Anatomy is the study of body structures. You will discover how your body
works under normal and abnormal conditions. The knowledge on this
chapter will serve as the foundation for understanding all other basic life
sciences.
▪ Anatomy is the oldest medical science. Egyptian drawings from 1600 BCE
illustrated basic knowledge of blood vessels. These drawings show that
people have always been fascinated with the human body. Since that
time, imaging techniques for studying the human body have evolved,
enabling us to describe the locations and functions of body parts.
 OVERVIEW
▪ People have always been interested in the inner workings of the
human body. Many medical terms have Greek roots, as do many
other anatomical terms and phrases that originated more than
1500 years ago. For example, the term anatomy is derived from
Greek roots that mean “a cutting open.” Anatomy is the study of
internal and external body structures and their physical
relationships among other body parts.
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION

A. The Organ Systems

▪ The human body consists of 11 organ systems. The organs of each
system contribute to a particular function. However, some organs
belong to more than one system.
▪ Specifically, the pharynx is part of both the respiratory and the
digestive systems, and the male urethra belongs to both the
reproductive and urinary systems.
COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION

B. Anatomical Terms, Body Regions, Anatomical Positions and

Directions
1. Anatomical Landmarks
▪ The standard anatomical reference for the human form is the
anatomical position. When the body is in this position, the hands are
at the sides with the palms facing forward, and the feet are together.
A person lying down in the anatomical position is said to be supine
when face up, and prone when face down.
COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION

2. Directional Terms
▪ Directional terms are generally grouped in pairs of opposites. All
terms are based on the body being in the anatomical position—
standing erect, arms at the sides, with face, palms, and feet
facing forward. Keep in mind, too, that the terms right and left
always refer to the patient’s right and left side.
COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION

3. Body Regions
▪ The illustration shows the terms for the different regions
of the body. These terms are used extensively when
performing clinical examinations and medical procedures.
COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION

C. Skeletal System
▪ The bones of the skeleton are more than just racks from which muscles
hang. They have a variety of vital functions. In addition to supporting the
weight of the body, bones work with muscles to maintain body position
and to produce controlled, precise movements. Without the skeleton to
pull against, contracting muscle fibers could not make us sit, stand, walk, or
run.
▪ The 206 bones in the adult human body are actually dynamic living tissue.
Bone constantly breaks down and rebuilds itself, not just during the growth
phases of childhood, but throughout the life span. Bone is filled with blood
vessels, nerves, and living cells; in addition, its interaction with other body
systems is necessary not only for movement, but also for life itself.
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION

1. Primary Functions
▪ Your skeletal system includes the bones of the skeleton and, the cartilages, ligaments, and
other connective tissues that stabilize or interconnect the bones. This system has five
7primary functions:
▪ a. Support. The skeletal system provides structural support for the entire body. Individual
bones or groups of bones provide a framework for the attachment of soft tissues and
organs.
▪ b. Storage of Minerals and Lipids. Minerals are inorganic ions that contribute to the
osmotic concentration of body fluids. Minerals also take part in various physiological
processes, and several are important as enzyme cofactors. Calcium is the most abundant
mineral in the human body. The calcium salts of bone are a valuable mineral reserve that
maintains normal concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions in body fluids. In addition,
the bones of the skeleton store energy as lipids in areas filled with yellow bone marrow.
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
2. Bone Shapes
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
3. Bone Development
▪ The growth of the skeleton determines the size and proportions of your body. The bony skeleton
begins to form about six weeks after fertilization, when the embryo is approximately 12 mm (0.5 in.)
long. (At this stage, the existing skeletal elements are made of cartilage.) During subsequent
development, the bones undergo a tremendous increase in size. Bone growth continues through
adolescence, and portions of the skeleton generally do not stop growing until about age 25.
Ossification or osteogenesis refers specifically to the formation of bone.
4. Axial Skeleton
▪ The axial skeleton forms the longitudinal axis of the body. The axial skeleton has 80 bones, about 40
percent of the bones in the human body: The skull (8 cranial bones and 14 facial bones). Bones
associated with the skull (6 auditory ossicles and the hyoid bone). The vertebral column (24
vertebrae, the sacrum, and the coccyx). The thoracic cage (the sternum and 24 ribs).
▪ The axial skeleton provides a framework that supports and protects the brain, the spinal cord, and
the thoracic and abdominal organs. It also provides an extensive surface area for the attachment of
muscles that (1) adjust the positions of the head, neck, and trunk; (2) perform respiratory
movements; and (3) stabilize or position parts of the appendicular skeleton, which supports the
limbs.
COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
 COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION

▪ 5. Appendicular Skeleton
▪ The appendicular skeleton includes the bones of the limbs and the supporting bone
(pectoral and pelvic) girdles that connect them to the trunk). To appreciate the role of
the appendicular skeleton in your life, make a mental list of all the things you have done
with your arms or legs today. Standing, walking, writing, turning pages, eating,
dressing, shaking hands, and texting—the list quickly becomes unwieldy. Your axial
skeleton protects and supports internal organs and takes part in vital functions, such as
breathing.
▪ But your appendicular skeleton lets you manipulate objects and move from place to
place.
COURSE MATERIALS: DISCUSSION
 Thank you
for listening!

God Bless!!!

Presented by:

MR. RYAN A. ENRIQUEZ

PE Instructor