1. Human Anatomy
Chapter 1
The Human Body: An Orientation

2. I. Definitions
• Anatomy is the study of the
structure and shape of the body and
body parts and their relationships to
one another.
– Gross anatomy – examining large easily
observable body structures.
– Microscope anatomy – examining cells
and tissues using a microscope.

3. I. Definitions (con’t)
• Physiology is the study of how the
body and its parts work or function.
– Neurophysiology – explains how the
nervous system works.
– Cardiac physiology studies the functions
of the heart.
• Anatomy and physiology are always
related. FORM FOLLOWS
FUNCTION.

4. II. Levels of
Organization
• Atoms – building blocks of
matter. They combine to
form:
• Molecules – water, sugars, and
proteins.
• Molecules associate in
specific ways to form cells.

5. II. Levels of
Organization (Con’t)
• Cells are the smallest units of all living
things.
• Cells that are similar and have a common
function are called tissues.
• An organ is a structure, composed of two
or more tissue types, that performs a
specific function for the body.
• A group of organs that cooperate to
accomplish a common purpose is called an
organ system.
• All 11 organ systems make up an organism.

6. II. Levels of
Organization

7. Integumentary System
• External covering of the body
• Waterproofs, cushions and protects
• Excretes salts and urea in sweat and
helps regulate body temperature
• Sense organ – pain and pressure

8. Skeletal System
• Bone, cartilage, ligaments, and joints
• Support and protection
• Attachment of the skeletal muscles
• Hematopoiesis – the formation of
blood cells
• Store house of minerals

9. Muscular System
• Only one function – contract
• Movement occurs when muscles contract
• Three types of muscle tissue
– Skeletal muscles - movement
– Cardial muscles - heart contraction
– Smooth muscles – intestines, internal organs

10. Nervous System
• Fast-acting control system
• Consists of the brain, spinal
cord, nerves, and sensory
receptors.
• The body must be able to
respond to stimuli.
• The Central Nervous system
assesses the information
received and responds.

11. Endocrine System
• Slow acting control system of the
body.
• Produces and releases hormones into
the blood.
• Includes pituitary, thyroid, adrenals,
thymus, pancreas, pineal, ovaries,
testes, and parathyroid glands.

12. Cardiovascular System
• Made up of the heart and blood
vessels.
• Blood is the transporting fluid
• Carries oxygen, nutrients, hormones,
and other substances to and from
the cells where waste is exchanged
and removed.

13. Lymphatic System
• Closely related to the cardiovascular system.
• Includes lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes, and
other organs like the spleen and tonsils.
• Fluid leaks from the blood vessels and this
system returns the fluid back to the
circulatory system.
• Lymph nodes help cleanse the blood and
house the cells involved in immunity.

14. Respiratory System
• Keep the body constantly supplied
with oxygen and remove carbon
dioxide.
• Includes nasal passages, pharynx,
larynx, trachea, bronchi, and lungs.
• Lungs have tiny air sacs in which gas
exchange occurs

15. Digestive System
• Tube within a tube system running from
the mouth to the anus.
• Includes the oral cavity (mouth),
esophagus, stomach, small and large
intestines, and the rectum.
• Break down food into usable
macromolecules.
• Large intestines job is to reclaim water.

16. Urinary System
• The body produces waste which must be
removed.
• Nitrogenous wastes (urea and uric acid)
must be removed.
• Sometimes called the excretory system
• Includes kidneys, ureters, bladder, and
urethra.
• Maintains body’s water and salt balance

17. Reproductive System
• Produce offspring
• Sperm produced by testes
• Eggs produced by ovaries
• Fertilization occurs when sperm is
deposited into the female by the
penis.

18. HOMEOSTASIS
• The key to understanding the interactions
of the body systems as well as disease and
wellness is understanding homeostasis.
• Homeostasis is the body’s ability to
maintain relatively stable internal
conditions even though the outside world is
continuously changing.

19. The Language of
Anatomy
• To accurately describe body parts and
position we have to have a reference point
that is accepted universally. This is
helpful when the coroner finds a body and
must describe the body.
• Anatomical position – The assumption that
the body is erect with the feet parallel
and the arms hanging at the sides with the
palms facing forward.

20. Directional Terms (pg. 12)
Superior/cranial/cephalad Toward the head or upper part of the
body or structure; above
Inferior (caudal) Away from the head end or toward the
lower part of a body or structure;
below
Anterior (ventral) Toward the front of the body (belly)
Posterior (dorsal) Toward the back of the body; behind
Medial Toward or at the midline of the body;
on the inner side of
Lateral Away from the midline of the body; on
the outer side of
Intermediate Between a medial and lateral structure

21. Directional Terms (pg. 12)
Proximal Close to the origin of the body part or
the point of attachment of a limb to
the body trunk
Distal Farther from the origin of a body part
or the point of attachment of a lumb to
the body truck
Superficial Toward or at the body surface
Deep Away from the body surface; more
internal

22. Anterior Body Landmarks
(pg. 13)
Abdominal Anterior body trunk inferior to the
ribs
Antecubital Anterior surface of the elbow
Axillary Armpit
Brachial Arm
Buccal Cheek area
Carpal Wrist
Cervical Neck region

23. Anterior Body Landmarks
(pg 13)
Digital Fingers and toes
Femoral Thigh
Inguinal Area where thigh meets the trunk
Nasal Nose area
Oral Mouth
Orbital Eye area
Patellar Anterior knee

24. Anterior Body Landmarks
(pg 13)
Peroneal Lateral part of the leg
Pubic Genital region
Sternal Breasbone area
Tarsal Ankle region
Thoracic Chest
Umbilical Navel

25. Posterior Body Landmarks
(pg 13)
Cephalic Head
Deltoid Curve of the shoulder
Gluteal Butt
Lumbar Lower back
Occipital Posterior surface of the head
Popliteal Posterior knee area
Scapular Shoulder blade region
Sural The area of the calf muscle
Vertebral Area of the spine

26. Body Planes (pg 14)
• Body planes and sections can be used to
describe either the entire body or any part
of the body such as an organ.
• There are several ways to “cut” body.
– Sagittal section – cut down the middle to create
left and right sides. (aka midsagittal or median
section if the cut makes equal sides)
– Frontal or coronal section – a cut that divides
the body into anterior and posterior sides.
– Transverse or cross sections – A cut is made
along the horizontal plane dividing the body into
superior and inferior parts.