ABDELNASSER, FATIMA ZAHLEEYA M.

BSN 1A
INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY

I. Introduction

This activity manual presents some of the most important anatomical terms you will be
using to describe the body and introduces you to gross anatomy, the study of body structures you
can see with your naked eye. The laboratory exercises will help you to be familiar with the
language of anatomy. The figures and illustrations orients you to the positions of body parts.
II. Objectives
At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Define the terms anatomy and physiology.
2. Name the body systems.
3. Analyze situations regarding homeostasis.
4. Identify positions of body parts using directional terms.

III. Concepts/Explanations
Anatomy pertains to the shape and structure of your body parts and Physiology pertains to
how your body parts work or function. These two terms are interrelated because structure and
function are always closely associated. How your body works, depends on how it is put together.
Conversely, the way your organs are put together as a system, provide clues to understanding how
they work. These eleven (11) organ systems are: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous,
cardiovascular, respiratory, lymphatic, digestive, urinary, endocrine, and reproductive.

The systems work together to achieve a stable internal environment or homeostasis. To

maintain homeostasis, communication within your body is essential (fig. 1).

1. Stimulus- produces a change to a variable (the factor being regulated).

2. Receptor- monitors the environment and
responds to change (stimuli).
3. Input- information travels along the (afferent)
pathway to the control center. The control
center determines the appropriate
response/action.
4. Output- information sent from the control
center travels down the (efferent) pathway to
the effector.
5. Response- a response from the effector
balances out the original stimulus to maintain
homeostasis.
Figure 1. Homeostasis
Almost all homeostatic control mechanisms are
negative feedback mechanisms. These mechanisms change the variable back to its normal state or
set point. Thermoregulation is a good example of a negative feedback mechanism. A positive
feedback mechanism is the exact opposite of the negative feedback mechanism. If negative
feedback reduces the original effect of the stimulus, positive feedback enhances it. A good example
of a positive feedback is child birth.

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It is essential that a special set of directional terms (fig. 2) be learned to locate parts and to
relate the various parts to each other.

Figure 2. Orientation and directional terms

Body planes and sections, and body cavities are some of the
special terminology for directions and locations making it possible to
describe an area within the body with great accuracy.

Figure 3. Body planes and sections

Figure 4. Body cavities

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IV. Laboratory Exercises

Before you begin the session, do the following:

o Read the chapter on Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology in your textbook or
module or go to https://www.visiblebody.com/blog/anatomy-and-physiology-anatomical-
position-and- directional-terms
o Scan the objectives you are expected to accomplish during this laboratory session.
o Prepare the materials needed:
• Human torso illustration • Crayons or colored pens/pencils

Activity 1. For each of the following organs, identify the organ system to which it belongs.
There is one organ which belongs to two organ systems; in that case, list them both.
Respiratory System
Lungs _____________________________ Reproductive System
Ovaries _____________________________
Nervous System
Brain ______________________________ Lymphatic System
Spleen _____________________________
Circulatory System
Heart ______________________________ Reproductive System
Testes ______________________________
Urinary System
Kidneys ___________________________ Digestive System
Intestines ___________________________
Endocrine System
Thyroid gland ______________________ Skeletal System
Cartilage ___________________________
Digestive System
Gall bladder ________________________ Endocrine System
Pancreas ______________________ and
Lymphatic System
Thymus ___________________________ Digestive System
_________________________

Although you learn about each organ system as a distinct entity, the functions of the body's
organ systems overlap considerably. Your body could not function without the cooperation of all
of its organ systems which can lead to unstable internal environment.

To maintain homeostasis, your body uses negative feedback mechanisms to detect

changes from the set point (the normal state/range) and trigger appropriate responses that return
your body systems to the set point. To better understand these concepts, do the next activity.

Activity 2. Driving a Car Analogy for understanding negative feedback (Adapted from
Science Take-Out, 2010). You may color the car.

The process of homeostasis is like driving your car at

the speed limit (55 miles per hour).

• What is the set point (speed limit) for driving your

55 miles per hour
car? ______________________________

• If you detect that the speed of your car is above the

set point, what response should you make?
Hit the Brakes
______________________________________

• If you detect the speed of your car is below the set

point, what response should you make?
Step on the gas
_______________________________________

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Using the information stated above, write the meaning of the following words:

the maintenance of relatively stable internal conditions and state of equilibrium.

Homeostasis ______________________________________________________________
Negative feedback it_________________________________________________________
shuts off original stimulus and reduce the intensity of the stimulus.
normal range condition of the internal body.
Set point _________________________________________________________________

Homeostasis is needed to keep the desired set point (normal range) at a constant, and with
the help of the negative feedback mechanism, your body is able to keep its internal environment
at the set point. To further understand the concept of negative feedback mechanism, do the next
activity.

Activity 3. Read the passage and then answer the questions that follow.

Body temperature is normally maintained at about 37°C (98.6°F). If your body temperature
increases, receptors in the hypothalamus region of the brain detect the change and send signals to
sweat glands causing perspiration (sweating). The hypothalamus signals also cause blood vessels
in the skin to dilate (open) to increase blood flow to the body surface. These responses decrease
body temperature.

If your body temperature decreases, receptors in the hypothalamus detect the change and
send signals to muscles causing shivering which produces heat. The hypothalamus signals also
cause blood vessels in the skin to constrict (close) to decrease blood flow to the body surface.
These responses increase body temperature.

Answer the following questions:

37 degree celcius
1. What is the set point for body temperature? _______________________________________
2. If this negative feedback mechanism detects an increase in body temperature (above the set
Hypothalamus region
point), what response should be triggered to maintain homeostasis? ____________________
receptors sends signals to sudoriferous glands to cause sweat or perspire.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

3. If this negative feedback mechanism detects a decrease in body temperature (below the set
hypothalamus region receptors
point), what response should be triggered to maintain homeostasis? ____________________
send signals to mucles to cause shivering in time, produces heat.
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________

Activity 3 shows that your body temperature must be kept constant. Your optimal body
temperature is between 36.6 ºC and 37 ºC. Remember that all your cells, antibodies, enzymes and
most hormones are made of protein, and proteins are sensitive to temperature and the level of
hydrogen ions (pH) in our blood or fluids. If your body temperature is too high, your proteins will
denature and will not be able to function. If it’s too low, your proteins will become inactive.

So, your body must work hard to keep the temperature constant. Your hypothalamus
stimulates various systems to regulate your body temperature. When your body is hot, the
hypothalamus will stimulate the pituitary to release more anti-diuretic hormone that will act on
your kidneys to reabsorb water and less thyroxin so that your metabolic rate decreases. When your
body is cold, the opposite will take place.
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Activity 4. Demonstrating the Anatomical Position.

You may ask a family member to be your partner in doing this

activity.

Step 1. Stand erect (or ask your partner to stand in front of you and
follow your instructions).

Step 2. Face forward, extend your arms, and palms facing forward
(refer to figure 5).

Step 3. With your partner standing in front of you doing the anatomical
position, answer the following questions:
As you look at your partner face to face, you are viewing the body from
Anterior
what directional position? __________________________.
What is the most superior part of your partner’s body? __________.
Head Figure 5. Anatomical position
Which is more inferior in position, your partner’s shoulder or
elbow? (Circle your answer).
What part of your partner’s face best depicts a medial position? _________________.
nose is medial to the eyes
What term best represents the position of your partner’s ears in relation to body direction
lateral
terminology? _________________.
Is his knee distal to his foot? Yes or No. (Circle your answer).
spine
Name one posterior body part on your partner. _______________ .

In identifying the location of a structure in the human body, the health professionals
(including nurses), they do so in reference to a body in anatomical position. That is, you figure out
the location of any body parts based on this position.

Knowing the anatomical position orients you now to anatomical nomenclature (method of
naming anatomical structures) and the direction or position of body structures in reference to the
body. Anatomic terms such as anterior and posterior, medial and lateral, abduction and
adduction, and so on apply to the body when it is in the anatomical position.

To learn more about directional terms, do the next activity.

Activity 5. Label the figures below using directional terms.

Superior / Cranial Lateral Anterior / Ventral Inferior / Caudal

Medial Superficial Deep

Proximal

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To be able to direct others to specific anatomical structures, or to find structures based on

someone else’s directions, it is useful to have specific terms that allow you to orient your search
with respect to the location of known structures. The directional terms are used to make
comparisons. Each term is used to orient a first structure or feature with respect to the position of
a second structure or feature.

Activity 6. Label the body planes and cavities below.

Frontal

Transverse

Median

A. Body planes and sections

Cranial Cavity
A _____________________________
Thoracic Cavity
B _____________________________
Ventral Body Cavity
C _____________________________
Diaphragm
D _____________________________
Abdominopelvic Cavity
E _____________________________
Abdominal Cavity
F _____________________________
Pelvic Cavity
G _____________________________
Spinal Cavity
H _____________________________
Dorsal Body Cavity
I _____________________________

B. Body cavities

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V. Laboratory Report Sheet/Checklist (To be submitted at the end of the activity/ies)

Brain
Coordination Regulate Temperature

Thyroid Gland Ligaments

Skeletal

Reproductive

Movement
Testes

females

wastes Kidney
foods
transport
esophagus blood

Word bank:
females, brain, kidneys, regulate temperature,
skeletal, ligaments, wastes, transport, food,
thyroid, esophagus, testes, coordination,
reproductive, movement, blood

(Adapted from http://mrsmerrill.weebly.com/anatomy--physiology.html)

Name of Student:Abdelnasser, Fatima Zahleeya M

_________________________Year & Section: BSN
_______Date
1A 09/30/20
of Submission: _______