Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology

Dr.Kojo Yeboah Enchill

 Anatomy and Physiology

INTRODUCTION
- Study of anatomy and physiology is an ever
developing science.
- Greek and Latin form the basis for the language
of anatomy and physiology.

DEFINITIONS:

A. ANATOMY = the study of the structure

(morphology, form) of body parts.
B. PHYSIOLOGY = the study of the function of body
parts.
 Sciences of anatomy and physiology

Anatomy: Study of internal and external structures.

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Branches of anatomy
Gross anatomy
Microscopic anatomy
◦Cytology
◦Histology
Developmental anatomy
◦Embryology
Physiology: study of the functions of the human body
cell physiology: function of cells
special physiology: physiology of specific organs
systemic physiology: physiology of systems
pathological physiology: effects of disease on organ
or system functions.
 Levels of Organization
STRUCTURAL LEVELS OF
ORGANIZATION:

A. The atom [i.e. Carbon (C), Hydrogen

(H), or Oxygen(O)] is the least complex level.
An atom is defined as the smallest particle of
an element. Atoms combine with (react with)
other atoms to form...
B. molecules [i.e. carbon dioxide (CO2),
water (H20)]. A molecule is defined as a
particle composed of 2 or more joined atoms.
Molecules combine with other molecules to
form...
C. macromolecules (i.e. carbohydrates,
lipids, proteins, nucleic acids). A
macromolecule is defined as a large
molecule. Macromolecules combine with
other macromolecules to form...
D. organelles (i.e. cell membrane,
nucleus, ribosomes). An organelle is
defined as a small organ of a cell, which
performs a particular function.
Organelles collectively compose ...
 Levels of Organization

E. cells The cell is defined as the basic unit

of structure and function of living
organisms!
Each cell has a set of organelles and
performs a particular function (i.e. a red blood
cell has a biconcave shape and is a nucleate.
This structure increases its surface area, allowing
for the transport of more oxygen.
Similar cells are arranged into...
F. tissues (i.e. epithelia, connective, muscle,
nervous). A tissue is defined as a group of
similar cells that performs a specialized
function.Two or more tissues combine to form...
 Levels of Organization

G.organs (i.e. skin, heart, brain). An organ is defined

as a structure consisting of a group of tissues that
performs a specialized function. Two or more organs
combine to form...
H.organ systems (i.e. integumentary, cardiovascular).
An organ system is defined as a group of organs that act
together to carry on a specialized function. There are 11
organ systems. The eleven organ systems collectively
form the...
I.human organism An organism is the most complex
level of organization and is defined as an individual
living thing.
J.The levels of hierarchy could be further extended to
include; populations, communities, ecosystems, and
the biosphere.
 Levels of Organization

Major Organs:
skin
hair
nails
sweat glands
sebaceous glands

Major Functions:
protect tissue
regulate body temperature
support sensory receptors
Integumentary system
 Levels of Organization

Major Organs:
bones
ligaments
cartilages

Major Functions:
provide framework
protect soft tissue
provide attachments for muscles
produce blood cells Skeletal system

store inorganic salts

 Levels of Organization
Muscular system

Major Organs:
muscles

Major Functions:
cause movement
maintain posture
produce body heat
 Levels of Organization

Major Organs: Nervous system

brain
spinal cord
nerves
sense organs

Major Functions:
detect changes
receive and interpret
sensory information
stimulate muscles and glands
 Levels of Organization

Major Organs:
pituitary gland
thyroid gland
parathyroid glands
adrenal glands
pancreas
ovaries
testes
pineal gland
thymus

Major Functions:
control metabolic activities of
body structures through the Endocrine system

release of hormones
 Levels of Organization
Cardiovascular system

Major Organs:
heart
arteries
capillaries
veins

Major Functions:
move blood through vessels and
transport substances throughout
the body
 Levels of Organization
Lymphatic system

Major Organs:
lymphatic vessels
lymph nodes
thymus
spleen

Major Functions:
return tissue fluid to blood
carry certain absorbed food molecules
defend the body against infection
 Levels of Organization
Digestive system

Major Organs:
mouth
tongue
teeth
salivary glands
pharynx
esophagus
stomach
liver and gallbladder
pancreas
small and large intestines

Major Functions:
receive, breakdown, and absorb food
eliminate unabsorbed material
 Levels of Organization
Respiratory system

Major Organs:
nasal cavity
pharynx
larynx
trachea
bronchi
lungs

Major Functions:
intake and output of air
exchange gases between air and
blood
 Levels of Organization
Urinary system

Major Organs:
kidneys
ureters
urinary bladder
urethra

Major Functions:
remove waste from blood
maintain water and electrolyte
balance
store and transport urine
 Levels of Organization

Male reproductive system

Major Organs:
scrotum
testes
epididymides
ductus deferentia
seminal vesicles
prostate gland
bulbourethral glands
urethra
penis

Major Functions:
produce and maintain sperm cells
transfer sperm cells into female
reproductive tract
 Levels of Organization
Female reproductive system

Major Organs:
ovaries
uterine tubes
uterus
vagina
clitoris
vulva

Major Functions:
produce and maintain eggs cells
receive sperm cells
support development of an embryo
function in the birth process
 Characteristics of Life

• Movement – change in position; motion

• Responsiveness – reaction to a change

• Growth – increase in body size; no
change in shape
• Reproduction – production of new organisms and
new cells
• Respiration – obtaining oxygen; removing
carbon dioxide; releasing energy from foods
Characteristics of Life Continued

• Digestion – breakdown of food substances into

simpler forms

• Absorption – passage of substances through

membranes and into body fluids
• Circulation – movement of substances in body
fluids
• Assimilation – changing of absorbed
substances into chemically
different forms
• Excretion – removal of wastes produced by
metabolic reactions
 Maintenance of Life
• Life depends on five (5) environmental factors:
• Water
• Food
• Oxygen
• Heat
• Pressure
• Water
- most abundant substance in body
- required for metabolic processes
- required for transport of substances
- regulates body temperature
 Maintenance of Life
• Food- provides necessary nutrients
- supplies energy
- supplies raw materials
• Oxygen (gas)- one-fifth of air
- used to release energy from nutrients
• Heat- form of energy
- partly controls rate of metabolic reactions
• Pressure - application of force on an object
- atmospheric pressure
– important for breathing
- hydrostatic pressure
– keeps blood flowing
 Body cavities and membranes
 Body contains two major closed cavities: DORSAL
AND VENTRAL.

 Dorsal is subdivided :-cranial and spinal cavities

which contain brain and spinal cord.
 Ventral into superior thoracic which houses the heart
and lungs and inferior abdominopelvic cavity which
contains the liver, digestive and reproductive organs.
 Walls of vent. Cavity are covered with thin
membranes, the parietal and visceral serosae.
 Organization of the Body

VENTRAL CAVITY
THORACIC CAVITY
lungs , mediastinum, thymus, heart, esophagus, trachea

ABDOMINOPELVIC CAVITY

ABDOMINAL CAVITY:- stomach, liver, spleen, gallbladder,

small intestine, large intestine

PELVIC CAVITY:- urinary bladder, internal reproductive

organs.
Organization of the Body
Organization of the Body
Serosa
Naming of serous membranes (serosa) with 2 adjectives:
•Parietal
serosa forms
the outer wall
of the cavity
•Visceral
serosa covers
the visceral
organ

Pericardial: heart
Pleural: lungs
Peritoneal: abdominal
 Organization of the Body

Thoracic and Abdominopelvic Membranes

1.Membrane = a soft, thin, pliable layer of tissue that

either:
a. covers a vital (visceral organ) = VISCERAL
MEMBRANE
b. lines a body cavity = PARIETAL
MEMBRANE

2. There is a space between a visceral and parietal

membrane into which SEROUS fluid is secreted for
lubrication.
 Organization of the Body

There are specific names for the membranes around the heart, lungs,
and abdominal organs:

Serous Membranes of the LUNGS:

- The membrane on the surface of the lung is called
visceral pleura.

- The membrane that lines the cavity in which the

lungs are located is called parietal pleura.

- The space between these two membranes is called

the pleural cavity, and it is filled with serous
fluid.
 Organization of the Body

Serous Membranes of the HEART:

- The membrane on the surface of the heart is called
visceral pericardium.

- The membrane that lines the cavity in which the heart

is located is called parietal pericardium.

- The space between these two membranes is called the

pericardial cavity, and it is filled with serous fluid.
 Organization of the Body

Serous Membranes of the ABDOMINAL ORGANS:

- The membrane on the surface of the liver, stomach,

etc. is called visceral peritoneum.

- The membrane that lines the abdominal cavity is

called parietal peritoneum.

- The space between these two membranes is called the

peritoneal cavity, and it is filled with serous fluid.
 Anatomical Terminology
ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY
A. Definition = a language used to describe the relative
position of body parts; needed for communication.
B. Anatomical Position = standing erect, face forward, upper
limbs at sides, palms forward
 Anatomical Terminology
Relative Position

1.Superior = above; Inferior = below;

2.Anterior = front; Posterior = back;

3.Ventral = front; Dorsal = back;

4.Medial = center; Lateral = side;

5.Ipsilateral = same side; Contralateral = other side

6.Proximal = closer to trunk; Distal = farther from

trunk;

7.Superficial = surface; Deep = internal.

 Anatomical Terminology

Body Sections (cuts, planes)

1.Sagittal cut: divides the body into right and left

portions.
midsagittal (median) = equal
right and left portions.

2.Transverse Cut: (or horizontal): divides the body into

superior and inferior portions

3.Coronal Cut: (or frontal): divides the body into anterior

and posterior portions.

4. Cross-section: cut at 90 degrees to long axis of the object

5.Oblique section: cut at an angle across an object

Body planes and sections
- cut into sections along a flat surface called a plane

(also called coronal)

(also called XS – cross section)

Anatomical Terminology
Anatomical Terminology
Anatomical Terminology
Anatomical Terminology