I.

Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Introduction

This lesson enables you to gain knowledge about the eleven systems of the body, the
organs associated with each system, the concept of homeostasis, which literally means “staying
(stasis) the same (homeo)”, and anatomical terms needed to identify locations of body parts.

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. Describe situations regarding homeostasis
4. Identify positions of body parts using directional terms

Try this!

Activity1. Defining anatomy and physiology.

A. Circle the words/phrases that pertain to anatomy and underline those words/phrases that
relates to physiology.

heart exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide kidneys

small intestine pumps blood manufacture urine

body support and protection absorbs food bones lungs

B. Then, match the body part to its function by filling in the columns below:

Anatomy (Structure) Physiology (Function)

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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Compare your answers to the concepts in Read and Ponder section. Are they similar? If
yes, good job!
Think Ahead!

Activity 1 gives you an idea regarding the concepts of anatomy and physiology. Anatomy
pertains to the shape and structure of your body parts and Physiology pertains to how your body
parts work or function.

Anatomy and physiology are interrelated because structure and function are always
closely associated. The function of your organ, or how it 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. To know more about the structure of your systems and their
functions, do the next activity.

Try this!
Activity 2. Find the name of the 11 body systems within the grid of letters.

E O U Y Q S S P X E B P I T P S A X S Y
A V R R Y R A T N E M U G E T N I M R D
L I I O L R D D L E X E P A L E G O A I
Q G N T X Y O R N A R I U Z G L T W L G
U V A A C C M E P B T V B P C A F L U E
V K R R R U O P C B S E O H L Q D R C S
W E Y I Z T D B H E I I L U U V Q C S T
R U N P X Q V O N O C A C E S K Q V U I
V E M S F V Q O R U C R K C K R I V M V
X D P E N Q M X K P I Y P G D S O C E E
J D Y R I R C W C C E Z T D Y K N F V Y
H O M E O S T A S I S R Y E E J F R P L
Y Q N H Q X P K C I T A H P M Y L Z B T
M M I M M U N I T Y X O E G F U Z M X X
J F B P E Q M N A M F Q A U N G Z V Y T

Then, identify the system to its function by filling in the lines below.

1. Encloses internal body structures and site of many sensory receptors. _______________
2. Secretes hormones to regulate body processes. ______________
3. Protects and supports body organs. ______________
4. Enables movement and helps maintain body temperature ______________
5. Delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues. _______________
6. Produces male and female gametes and the sex hormones. _______________
7. Returns fluid to blood and defends against pathogens. ______________
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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

8. Detects, processes, and responds to sensory information. ______________

9. Processes food for use by the body. ______________
10. Removes carbon dioxide and delivers oxygen to the blood. ______________
11. Controls water balance in the body. ______________

Are your answers similar to the figures in Read and Ponder? If yes, congratulations!

Think Ahead!

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. The
body’s ability to maintain relatively stable internal environment that persists despite changes in
the world outside is referred to as homeostasis.

To know more about homeostasis, do the next activity.

Try this!

Activity 3. A Fishbowl Analogy for Homeostasis (Adapted from Kevin Patton,

lionden.com).

Maintaining homeostasis in your body is similar to keeping

conditions in a fishbowl balanced. Human Body

• The contents of a fishbowl represent your multicellular

body. The fish represent your cells.

• For fish (cells) to survive, the internal environment (body

fluids) in the fishbowl must be maintained to provide the
proper temperature and the proper levels of nutrients, oxygen,
carbon dioxide, and waste.

• Devices such as heaters/coolers, automatic feeders, Cells

air bubblers and filters can be used to maintain the Body Fluids

proper internal environment.

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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Use the words from these lists of human body parts and functions to complete the
Fishbowl Analogy Table below:

Human Body: Functions:

• Body fluid • Barrier
• Digestive tract • Internal environment
• Kidneys  Lungs • Maintain constant temperature
• Muscles • Maintain food level
• Skin • Excrete nitrogen wastes
• Maintain oxygen
• Homeostasis
Fishbowl Analogy Table:
Fishbowl Human Body Functions
Fish Cells Need to stay alive
Glass bowl
Water
Air pump
Filter
Heater
Feeder
Everything working together

Are you done with Activity 3? Congratulations!

Think Ahead!

The above activity gives you an idea about the concept of homeostasis. Generally, your
body is in homeostasis when the needs of your organ systems are met and functioning properly.

Homeostasis must be maintained for normal body functioning thereby sustaining the life
of a person. For example, when your blood sugar rises, receptors in your body sense a change. In
turn, your pancreas secretes insulin into your blood and effectively lowering its sugar levels.
Your pancreas stops releasing insulin once blood sugar levels reach homeostasis.

Most of the homeostatic control mechanisms (Fig.1) in our body are described as
negative feedback as it shuts off or reduces the intensity of the original stimulus. It works like a
household thermostat which regulates the temperature of the house to a set level. On the contrary,
the positive feedback increases the original stimulus to push the variable farther as in the case of
blood clotting and the birth of a baby.

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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Figure 1. Homeostatic mechanism

Read and Ponder

To help you understand further, an illustration of the 11 systems are provided below.

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I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Figure 2. The 11 organ systems

The Language of Anatomy

In order to prevent misunderstanding, special terminologies are used for you to

distinguished Position, Direction (fig.4), Regions and Structures (fig.5). Moreover, to avoid
confusion, an Anatomical Position (fig.3) was set as standard reference regardless of actual body
position.

Figure 3. Anatomical Position

Stand erect, feet parallel, arms hanging

at the sides with palms facing forward
and thumbs pointing away from the
body

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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Figure 4. Orientation and directional terms

Regional Terms

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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Figure 5. Regional terms

Body Planes and Sections

Figure 6. Body planes and sections

Body Cavities, Abdominopelvic Quadrants, and Nine Regions of the Abdomen

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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Figure 7. Body cavities Figure 8. Abdominopelvic quadrants

Figure 9. Nine regions of the abdomen with superficial organs

For more information on the anatomical position and directional terms go to

https://www.visiblebody.com/blog/anatomy-and-physiology-anatomical-position-anddirectional-
terms.

See if you can do this!

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 I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

A. Define the terms anatomy and physiology. ________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
B. Using the key choices, identify the organ systems to which the following functions belong.
Write your answer on the space before the number.

Key Choices
A. Cardiovascular E. Lymphatic/Immune I. Respiratory
B. Integumentary F. Reproductive J. Muscular
C. Nervous G. Urinary K. Endocrine
D. Skeletal H. Digestive

________1. Controls the body with chemicals called hormones.

________2. Conserves body water or eliminates excesses.
________3. Removes carbon dioxide from the blood.
________4. Breaks down foodstuffs into small particles than can absorbed. ________5.
Protects the body; destroys bacteria and tumor cells.

C. Fill in the appropriate directional term on the following blanks:

1. The head is _________________ to the tail
2. The spinal cord is _______________ to the vertebral column.
3. The thumb is ________________ to the elbow.
4. The scapula is ________________ to the clavicle.
5. The bladder is _________________ to the small intestine.

D. Explain the meaning of homeostasis as applied to human beings. ______________________

__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________

E. What regions of the body do the following body landmarks refer to?
1. acromial ____________________ 4. popliteal _________________________
2. crural ______________________ 5. sural ____________________________
3. inguinal ____________________

F. Describe the anatomical position. ______________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

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I. Introduction to Anatomy & Physiology

Congratulations for a job well done!!

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