Chapter 1: Introduction to the Human Body
Biology
- bio = life
- ology = the study of
- the study of living organisms
- Biotic vs. Abiotic
- Biotic – contains life (a living thing)
- Abiotic – does not contain life
Characteristics of Life
•Movement and Growth
–can be internal or external
•Reproduction
•Response to the environment
•Metabolism
–all chemical reactions in the body
•Maintaining homeostasis
–monitor and regulate internal environment
Anatomy and Physiology
•Anatomy – the study of structure (morphology)
–size, appearance, organization, composition and location
•Physiology – the study of function
–how and why
•Pathophysiology – the study of improper functioning of body parts
–How a body part functions when diseased
Levels of Organization
•Atoms
•Molecules
•Cells
•Tissues
•Organs
•Organ systems
•Organism
The Integumentary System
•Skin, Hair and Nails
•Covers the body
•Helps regulate body temperature
The Skeletal System
•Basic framework of the body
•Bones, joints and cartilage
•Supports and protects body organs
Muscular System
•Three types of muscles
•Skeletal muscle: attached to bones for movement and posture
•Smooth
•Cardiac
Nervous System
•Brain, spinal cord, nerves and sense organs
•Transmits signals from body to the brain and commands from the brain to the body
Endocrine System
•Glands secreting hormones
•Helps regulate growth, reproduction and water balance
Circulatory System
•Heart and blood vessels
•Pumps and transports blood throughout body
•Carries oxygen and nutrients to cells
•Carries waste away from cells
Lymphatic System
•Lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, spleen
•Important in immune response
Respiratory System
•Lungs and associated structures
•Moves oxygen into body
•Moves carbon dioxide out of body
Digestive System
•Stomach, intestines, liver and gallbladder
•Breaks down food into substances absorbed by the body
•Eliminates waste
Urinary System
•Kidneys, bladder and other structures that help excrete wastes through urine
•Helps control water
Reproductive System
•Organs and structures related to reproduction
Relative Positions
•Superior
–above or closer to the head
•Inferior
–below or closer to the feet
•Your knee is ______to your shoulder.
•Anterior / Ventral
–towards the front (belly) surface
•Posterior / Dorsal
–towards the back surface
•Your heart is ______to your spine.
•Medial
–toward the middle of the body
•Lateral
–away from the middle of the body
•Your eyes are ______to your mouth.
•Proximal
–closer to the trunk or point of attachment
•Distal
–farther from the trunk or point to attachment
•Your fingers are ______to your wrist.
•Superficial
–nearer the surface of the body
•Deep
–away from the surface of the body
•Your muscles are ______to your bones.
•Central
–nearer the center
•Peripheral
–away from the center
•Your heart is more ______compared to your brain
Planes of the Body
- Sagittal Plane
–divides the body lengthwise into right and left portions
–midsagittal section divides body into equal halves
- Frontal plane
–also called the coronal plane
–divides the body into dorsal and ventral portions
- Transverse plane
–divides body horizontally into superior and inferior portions
–transverse sections of body or organs are called cross sections
Regional Terms
- See textbook
Cavities of the Body
•Organs are located within cavities (large internal spaces)
•Two major cavities
–Dorsal Cavity
•Located toward the back of the body
•Cranial Cavity
•located in the skull
•contains the brain
•Spinal (Vertebral) Cavity
•extends down from cranial cavity
•surrounded by bony vertebrae
•contains spinal cord
–Ventral Cavity
•Located toward the front of the body
•Thoracic Cavity
•Surrounded by rib cage
•Separated from abdominopelvic cavity by diaphragm
•Mediastinum
•Separates thoracic cavity into two compartments
•Contains the heart, esophagus, trachea, thymus gland and large blood vessels attached to heart
•Abdominopelvic Cavity
•Located inferior to the diaphragm
•Abdominal Cavity
•Upper portion
•Contains the stomach, most of the intestine, liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen and kidneys
•Pelvic Cavity
•Extends inferiorly from hips
•Contains the rectum, urinary bladder and internal parts of the reproductive system
Abdominopelvic CavityDivision into Quadrants and Regions
- See Texbook