INTRODUCTION TO

ANATOMY AND
PHYSIOLOGY

GERALD DALE GIRON MD MHM DPAFP DPSAi RMT

Department of Human Structural Biology
Intended Learning Outcomes
◦ Define Anatomy and Physiology.
◦ Discuss the different divisions of Anatomy and
Physiology.
◦ Describe the levels of structural organization of
the human body.
◦ Discuss the major organs and functions of each
organ system.
◦ Describe the Normal Anatomical Position.
Intended Learning Outcomes
◦ Describe the Anatomical Planes and Sections of
the body.
◦ Identify the abdominopelvic quadrants and the
nine regions.
◦ Describe terminologies used in anatomy.
◦ Describe the two major body cavities, their
subdivisions, and membranes.
◦ Describe the general nature of metabolism.
◦ Discuss homeostasis.
Anatomy and Physiology Defined
◦Anatomy is the science of structure
and the relationships among
structures.
◦Physiology is the science of body
functions, that is, how the body parts
function.
◦The structure of a part often
determines how it will function.
 Anatomy – Levels of Study

• Gross Anatomy
• Large structures
• Easily
observable
Anatomy – Levels of Study

• Microscopic
Anatomy/Histology
• Very small
structures
• Can only be
viewed with
a microscope
Anatomy – Levels of Study

• Neuroanatomy
• Normal gross and microscopic
features and development of
the nervous system

• aka Neural HSB

Anatomy – Levels of Study
• Embryology
• Origin and development of
the human body from
fertilization of the ovum to
extrauterine life

• aka Developmental HSB

Levels of Structural Organization

Figure 1.1
Divisions of Anatomy
•Cell physiology
•Neurophysiology
•Pathophysiology
•Cardiovascular physiology
•Respiratory physiology
•Renal physiology
•Endocrinology
•Exercise physiology
Organ System Overview
• Integumentary
• Forms the external body
covering
• Protects deeper tissue
from injury
• Synthesizes vitamin D
• Location of cutaneous
nerve receptors
Organ System Overview

• Skeletal
• Protects and supports
body organs
• Provides muscle
attachment for
movement
• Site of blood cell
formation
• Stores minerals
Organ System Overview

• Muscular
• Allows locomotion
• Maintains posture
• Produces heat
Organ System Overview

• Nervous
• Fast-acting control
system
• Responds to internal
and external change
• Activates muscles and
glands
Organ System Overview
• Endocrine
• Secretes regulatory
hormones
• Growth
• Reproduction
• Metabolism
Organ System Overview
• Cardiovascular
• Transports materials in
body via blood
pumped by the heart
• Oxygen
• Carbon dioxide
• Nutrients
• Wastes
Organ System Overview

• Lymphatic
• Returns fluids to
blood vessels
• Disposes of debris
• Involved in
immunity
Organ System Overview

• Respiratory
• Keeps blood supplied
with oxygen
• Removes carbon
dioxide
Organ System Overview
• Digestive
• Breaks down food
• Allows for nutrient
absorption into blood
• Eliminates indigestible
material
Organ System Overview
• Urinary
• Eliminates nitrogenous
wastes
• Maintains acid – base
balance
• Regulation of materials
• Water
• Electrolytes
Organ System Overview

• Reproductive
• Production
of offspring
The Language of Anatomy

• Special terminology is used to prevent

misunderstanding
• Exact terms are used for:
• Position
• Direction
• Regions
• Structures
The Language of Anatomy
ANATOMICAL POSITION
• The person is:
• Standing erect
• Head, eyes, toes directed forward
• Heels and toes together flat on the ground
• Upper limbs hanging by the sides with the
palms facing forward
Anatomical Planes and Sections
• Median or Midsagittal Plane
• Equal right and left
• Only one medial plane
• Sagittal
• Unequal right and left
• Coronal or Frontal Plane
• Equal or unequal front and back
Body Planes
Orientation and Directional Terms
Orientation and Directional Terms
Orientation and Directional Terms

• Superficial – structure closer to the surface of the body

• Deep – farther away from the surface of the body
• Ipsilateral – means on the same side
• Contralateral – opposite side
Types of Ordinary Body Movements
·Flexion – movement that forms an
acute angle between
approximating body parts
·Extension – forms an obtuse angle
between two parts; angle is
increased; joint is straightened
·Rotation – movement of the body
part around its long axis
Types of Ordinary Body Movements
·Abduction – movement away
from the midline of the body in
the coronal plane
·Adduction – toward body in
coronal plane
·Circumduction – combination
Body Movements
 Special Movements
·Protraction – to move forward
as in forward movement of the
jaw.
·Retraction – move backward
·Elevation – to raise a body part
·Depression – to lower a body
part
 Special Movements
· Supination – lateral rotation of the
forearm from pronated position; palm
faces anteriorly
· Pronation – medial rotation of the
forearm; palm faces posteriorly
· Inversion – movement of the foot; sole
faces in a medial direction or inward
· Eversion – opposite; faces lateral
direction or outward
Body Landmarks

Anterior
Body Landmarks

Posterior
Body Cavities
• Dorsal Cavity
• Cranial cavity
• Vertebral cavity
• Ventral Cavity
• Thoracic cavity
• Abdominal cavity
• Pelvic cavity
Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Abdominopelvic Regions
Abdominopelvic Major Organs
Life Processes
◦Metabolism is the sum of all the
chemical processes that occur in the
body.
◦Responsiveness is the body’s ability to
detect and respond to changes in its
environment.
◦Movement includes motion of the whole
body, individual organs, single cells, and
even tiny organelles inside cells.
Life Processes
oGrowth is an increase in body size. It
may be due to an increase in the size of
existing cells, the number of cells, or the
amount of material surrounding cells.
oDifferentiation is the process whereby
unspecialized cells become specialized
cells.
oReproduction is the formation of new
cells for growth, repair, or replacement
or the production of a new individual.
Homeostasis
◦Maintenance of relatively stable
conditions
◦Ensures that the body’s internal
environment remains constant
despite changes inside and outside
the body
THANK YOU