NSG 100 study and the relationship among
Anatomy and Physiology in Nursing
Learning Outcome:
Define anatomy and describe the levels at
which anatomy can be studied.
Explain the importance of the relationship
between structure and function.
Define physiology.
State two major goals of physiology.
Describe the six level of organization of the
body, and describe the major
characteristics of each level.
List the eleven organs, identify their
components, and describe the major
functions of each system.
List and define six characteristics of life.
Define homeostasis, and explain why it is
important for proper body function.
Describe a negative-feedback mechanism and
give an example.
Describe a positive-feedback mechanism and
give an example.
Learning Outcome:
Describe a person in anatomical position.
Define the directional terms for the human
body, and use them to locate specific
body structures.
Know the terms for the parts and regions of the
body.
Name and describe the three major planes of
the body and the body organs.
Describe the major trunk cavities and their
divisions.
Describe the serous membranes, their locations
and their functions.
Anatomy
 scientific discipline that investigates
the structure of the body.
 means to dissect, or cut apart and
separate, the parts of the body for
them.
 Coverage includes:
1. structure of body parts
2. microscopic organization
3. processes of development
4. relationship between the
structures of a body part and
its function
Basic Approaches:
1. Systemic anatomy -study of
the body systems such as
cardiovascular, nervous,
skeletal and muscular system.
2. Regional anatomy- study of
the organization of the body
by areas.
 All systems are studied
simultaneously within
in each region such
head, abdomen or
arms.
Physiology
 scientific discipline that deals with the
processes or functions of living things.
 study of nature
 recognize structure as dynamic rather
than fixed and unchanging.
 Goals:
1. Understand and predict the
body’s responses to stimuli
2. Understand how the body
maintains internal conditions within
a narrow range of values in the
presence of continually changing
internal and external environment.
Structural levels

Organ Systems of the Body


Characteristics of the living human
organism
1. Movement- includes motion of the
body, individual organs, single cells,
and even tiny structures inside cells.
Ex. coordinated action of leg
muscles moves your whole body
from one place to another when you
walk or run.
2. Metabolism- is the ability to use
energy to perform vital functions,
such as growth, movement and
reproduction.
3. Responsiveness-ability of an
organism to sense changes in the
environment and make the
adjustments that help maintain life.
Ex. Temperature changes
4. Growth- refers to an increase in size
of all or part of an organism. Ex. Cell
size
5. Development- changes of an
organism undergoes through time.
Ex. Human development
6. Reproduction- formation of new
cells or new organisms.
 growth and tissue
repair are impossible
Homeostasis
 The existence and maintenance of a
relatively constant environment
within the body despite fluctuations in
either the external environment or
the internal environment.
 Most body cells are surrounded by
small amount of fluids and functions
depends on the variables
(temperature, volume and chemical
content)
 Homeostatic mechanism (ex.
shivering and sweating) to maintain
the set point which are govern by
nervous and endocrine system.
 Organ system helps control internal
environment so that it remains
relatively constant. Ex. digestive,
respiratory, cardiovascular and urinary
system
Negative Feedback
 most system of the body are
regulated by negative-feedback
mechanisms to maintain
homeostasis.
 means to decrease
 any deviation from set point is made
smaller or is resisted
 Ex. Normal body temperature
maintenance
 Three (3) components:
1. Receptor- monitors value of
variable
2. Control center - part of the
brain which set point for the
variables and receives input
from the receptor about the
variable
3. Effector- can change the
value of variable (stimulus)
when directed by the control
center Ex. Sweat glands

Anatomical Positions, directions and

planes
Terminologies

Planes of Section

Coronal Plane
Sagittal Plane

Transverse Plane

Oblique Plane
Anatomical Position
 Body Regions

Prone

Supine