• Anatomy is the study of the structure of an organism
• Physiology is the study of how that organism’s body functions

• There are many ways to study anatomy & physiology:
• Developmental anatomy: changes in the human body during growth from child to adult
• Embryology: Study of anatomy during first 8 weeks after conception
• Surface anatomy: using touch on the outside of the body
• Regional anatomy: Specialized focus on one portion of the body
• Gross anatomy: A general overview of large portions of the body at one time.
• Microscopic anatomy: Specialized focus on cells and tissues only seen with a microscope
• Systematic anatomy: studying one body system at a time.
• We will be studying anatomy systematically- one body system at a time.

Smallest unit of all living things

Similar cells with a common function

Made of 2 or more types of tissues

Group of organs working toward a common goal

Highest level of structural organization for an individual

Function:

Provides support and protection, gives body shape.

Major Organs:

-Bones

-Ligaments

-Cartilage

-Joints

Function:

Detects impulses from the senses; control center.

Major Organs:

-Brain

-Spinal cord

-Senses

-Nerves

Function:

Transports nutrients and gases around the body.

Major Organs:

-Heart

-Blood Vessels

-Blood

Function:

Exchanges gases (oxygen & CO₂)

Major Organs:

-Lungs

-Sinuses

-Diaphragm

Function:

Breaks down and absorbs food.

Major Organs:

-Mouth

-Esophagus

-Stomach

-Intestines

-Liver

-Gallbladder

Function:

Provides movement for all parts of the body.

Major Organs:

-Skeletal & Smooth muscles

Function:

Protect the body, regulate temperature, and prevent water loss.

Major Organs:

-Skin

-Hair

-Nails

Function:

Fights infection and provides fluid for cells.

Major Organs:

-Spleen

-Thymus gland

-Lymphatic vessels

-Lymph nodes

Function:

Removes waste from the blood.

Major Organs:

-Kidneys

-Bladder

-Ureters

-Urethra

Function:

Secretes hormones.

Major Organs:

-Glands

(Hypothalamus, pineal, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids, thymus, adrenals, pancreas, ovaries or testes)

Function:

Produces cells used in sexual reproduction.

Major Organs:

-you know what they are…

• The anatomy of the human body describes the structures found within it. These structures are organized into different levels of complexity. The 11 systems made of cells, tissues, and organs work together in a individual organism.

1. Maintaining boundaries- lets some substances in and keeps others out (ex: skin protects absorbs and keeps in water, which preventing entry of pathogens)
2. Movement- internal movement (ex: digestive contractions) and ability to move through surroundings
3. Responsiveness- sensing and reacting to changes in environment (ex: pain felt when finger is cut with a knife)
4. Digestion- breaking down and absorbing nutrients

5. Metabolism- building larger molecules from small ones (anabolism) and breaking down of larger molecules into smaller ones (catabolism)
6. Excretion- removal of wastes (ex: urine, sweat)
7. Reproduction- production of offspring
8. Growth- increase in cell size or overall body size

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• Survival needs:
1. Nutrients (through digestion & metabolism)
2. Oxygen (heart and lungs)
3. Normal body temperature (skin, blood, and muscles)
4. Water (allows molecules to move through the body)
5. Normal atmospheric pressure (provides appropriate gas exchange between lungs and environment)

• Body systems work together to complete the functions necessary for life. These functions provide the items needed for the survival of the whole organism.

• Anatomical terminology helps anatomists discuss parts of the body easily and efficiently.
• It starts with a standard anatomical position.
• Body is straight with feet slightly apart and thumbs pointed away from the body.

• Directional terms help anatomists compare the location of one body structure to another.
• Ex: The wrist is distal to the elbow.
• Right and left are used as from the patient’s perspective, not the viewer’s.

Proximal

Distal

Medial

Lateral

Superior (cranial)

Inferior (caudal)

Proximal

Distal

Posterior

(dorsal)

Anterior (ventral)

Superficial

Deep

Superficial=towards body surface

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Deep= away from body surface, more internal

• Anatomists use terminology such as anatomical position to describe locations in the body. Directional terms show the relation of one structure to another.

• Anatomical structures can be cut or sectioned into flat surfaces called planes.
• These planes are often used in images of the internal anatomy, like in an MRI scan.

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• Body cavities are spaces that provide protection for the organs within them.

• The dorsal body cavity encloses the brain and spinal cord.
• These are protected by membranes called the meninges.

• The ventral body cavities protect the visceral organs.
• They are divided into 3 major divisions:
• Thoracic
• Abdominal
• Pelvic

• The ventral body cavities are lined with a double-layered membrane called the serosa.
• The inner layer is called the visceral serosa and the outer layer is called the parietal serosa.
• Between these two layers is fluid called serous fluid.

The serosa membranes are named for the cavity in which they are located. The heart membranes are known as the visceral pericardium and the parietal pericardium with the pericardial cavity (filled with fluid) between them.

• The abdominal cavity is fairly nondescript externally but contains many important internal organs.
• For this reason, it is categorized into quadrants or regions to describe specific locations.

• The body can be described in three major planes. The organs are contained within the dorsal and ventral body cavities. These are protected by double-layered membranes.