Chapter 1

The Human
Organism

Cells of the Peritoneum

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Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy is the study of the structures of
the body
Systemic anatomy is the study of the body by
organ systems

Anatomy and Physiology

Regional
anatomy is the
study of the
body by areas

Anatomy and Physiology

Surface anatomy uses superficial structures
to locate deeper structures
anatomical imaging

Structural and Functional Organization

Six Levels of Organization

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Chemical Level
Cell Level
Tissue Level
Organ Level
Organ System Level
Organism Level

Structural and Functional Organization

1. Chemical Level
Atoms (colored
balls) combine to
form molecules
2. Cell Level
Molecules form
organelles, such as
the nucleus and
mitochondria, which
make up cells
3. Tissue Level
Similar cells and
surrounding
materials make up
tissues

Structural and Functional Organization

1. Chemical Level
Atoms (colored
balls) combine to
form molecules
2. Cell Level
Molecules form
organelles, such as
the nucleus and
mitochondria, which
make up cells
3. Tissue Level
Similar cells and
surrounding
materials make up
tissues

Structural and Functional Organization

1. Chemical Level
Atoms (colored
balls) combine to
form molecules
2. Cell Level
Molecules form
organelles, such as
the nucleus and
mitochondria, which
make up cells
3. Tissue Level
Similar cells and
surrounding
materials make up
tissues

Adipose Tissue

Structural and Functional Organization

4. Organ Level Different
tissues combine to
form organs, such as
the urinary bladder
5. Organ System Level
Organs such as the
urinary bladder and
kidneys make up an
organ system
6. Organism Level
Organ systems make
up an organism

Structural and Functional Organization

4. Organ Level
Different tissues
combine to form
organs, such as the
urinary bladder
5. Organ System Level
Organs such as
the urinary bladder and
kidneys make up an
organ system
6. Organism Level
Organ systems make
up an organism

Structural and Functional Organization

4. Organ Level
Different tissues
combine to form
organs, such as the
urinary bladder
5. Organ System Level
Organs such as the
urinary bladder and
kidneys make up an
organ system
6. Organism Level
Organ systems make
up an organism

Organ
systems of
the human
body and
their
associated
organs

Fig. 1.3a

Organ
systems of
the human
body and
their
associated
organs

Fig. 1.3b

Characteristics of Life
1. Organization: all parts of an organism interact to
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

perform specific functions

Metabolism: the chemical and physical changes
taking place in an organism
Responsiveness: adjustments that maintain their
internal environment
Growth: increase in size of all or part of the
organism
Development: changes an organism undergoes
through time
Reproduction: formation of new cells or new
organisms

Organization

Metabolism

Responsiveness

Growth

Development

Reproduction

Homeostasis

Existence and maintenance of a relatively constant internal

environment within the body
Maintenance of variables
ex. body temp, glucose level, blood pressure
set point is the ideal normal value (Ex. body temperature)
normal range is the fluctuation around set point

Homeostasis
Homeostasis is maintained by negative
and positive feedback mechanisms
Negative feedback process where the
body reverses a change that is occurring
and bring it back to normal
Ex. Control of body temperature
Control of blood pressure

Negative Feedback
most systems are regulated by
negative feedback
3 components
1. receptor/sensor- monitors the
value of the variable
ex. Skin, b.vessels
2. control center- part of the brain
that establishes the set point
3. effector- change the value of
the variable
ex. Sweat glands

NEGATIVE FEEDBACK

 Positive feedback process where the body

enhances or encourages the change that is
happening.
Ex. Contractions of uterus cause even more
contractions (and more) at child birth
Hormonal control of ovulation
Control blood clotting

Positive Feedback

Terminology and Body Plane

Body Positions
Anatomical position
human standing erect with the face directed
forward, the arms hanging to the sides, and the
palms facing forward

Supine person laying face up

Prone person laying face down

Terminology and Body Plane

Directional terms
Always refer to anatomical position

Right
Left
Superior
Inferior
Cephalic
Caudal
Anterior
Posterior

Ventral
Dorsal
Proximal
Distal
Lateral
Medial
Superficial
Deep

Directional Terms
Superior:
above
Inferior:
below
Anterior:
front
Posterior:
back
33

 Medial:
close to midline
Lateral:
away from midline
Proximal:
close to point of attachment
Distal:
far from point of attachment

34

 Superficial:
close to surface
Deep:
toward interior of body

35

Body Regions
Upper limbs:
upper arm, forearm, wrist, hand
Lower limbs:
thigh, lower leg, ankle, foot
Cephalic:
head
Cervical
neck
Trunk:
thoracic (chest), abdomen, pelvis, back

36

Figure 1.8a

Figure 1.9b

Body Planes
Sagittal plane: divides
the body into left and
right parts
Transverse plane:
divides the body into
superior and inferior
parts
Frontal (coronal) plane:
divides the body into
anterior and posterior
parts

Fig. 1.13

 Midsagittal or median
plane
- passes thru the
midline of an organ
or the body
Parasagittal Plane
- does not pass thru
the midline
- divides the organ or
the body into
unequal halves

Organ Planes
Longitudinal section:
along its long axis
Cross (transverse)
section: right angle to
the long axis
Oblique section:
across the long axis at
an angle other than a
right angle

Fig. 1.14

Body Cavities
Thoracic cavity:
heart, lungs, thymus gland, esophagus, trachea
Mediastinum:
divides thoracic cavity into left and right
Abdominal cavity:
stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, pancreas,
kidneys
Pelvic cavity:
urinary bladder, reproductive organs, part of
large intestine
42

Body Cavities

Thoracic cavity: bounded by the ribs and the diaphragm

Abdominal cavity: bounded by the diaphragm and the abdominal muscles
Pelvic cavity: surrounded by the pelvic bones

Fig. 1.15

Serous Membranes
Parietal membrane: lines the wall of the cavity
Visceral membrane: is in contact with the internal organs
Serous fluid: secreted by the serous membrane and protects
organs against friction

Serous Membranes
Pericardial cavity:
surrounds the heart

Pleural cavities:
surround the lungs

.
Peritoneal cavity:
surrounds certain
abdominal and pelvic
organs
Mesenteries hold the
abdominal organs in place
and provide a passageway
for blood vessels and
nerves to organs
Retroperitoneal organs are
located behind the parietal
peritoneum