Chapter 1 Notes

Anatomy & Physiology
Chapter 1 Notes

I. SCIENTIFIC METHODS & EQUIPMENT

a. Vitruvian man​: Concept that the human body is proportional
b. ​Anatomy:​ ​The parts of the body

i. Gross:​ ​Macroscopic anatomy (seen with the naked eye)
ii. Microscopic:​ ​Structures and cells that can only be seen with a

microscope.
c. P​ hysiology:​ ​Study of how the body works and functions

II.​ ​ORGANIZATION OF LIFE

M​ ost basic
Chemical
Cellular
Tissue
Organ
System
Organism

​ Most complex

III. ANATOMICAL TERMS
A. Planes

1. Sagittal/Median plane:​ ​ Divides the body along the midline into right and left
parts.

2. Coronal/Frontal plane:​ ​ Divides the body or parts into front and back halves.
3. Transverse/Cross plane:​ ​ Divides the body into upper and lower halves.
B. Directional Terms

Note: Point of Attachment refers to where two body parts come together
or are attached (joined) together.

1. Cranial/Superior:​ Refers to a structure being closer to the top of the head then
another structure.

2. Anterior/Ventral​:​ Refers to a structure being more front than another structure.
3. Posterior/dorsal:​ ​Refers to a structure that is located more in the back than

another structure.
4. Medial​:​ Refers to a structure being more t​ oward the midline​ of the body than

another structure.
5. Lateral:​ R​ efers to a structure being further a​ way from​ the median plane then

another structure.
6. Proximal:​ ​A structure is a​ bove​ the point of attachment
7. Distal​: A​ structure is ​below​ the point of attachment
8. Caudal/inferior:​ ​Refers to a structure being closer to the feet than another

structure or lower on the body then another structure.
a. These terms are not used when speaking about the limbs
b. Caudal in 4 legged animals means “toward the tail”

9. ​Superficial/external:​ A structure being located close to the surface of the body.
10. ​Deep/internal:​ A structure found further away from the surface of the body.

​C.​ ​Body Cavities

Function:​ Protect delicate organs and permit changes in the size and shape of
visceral organs.

a. Divided into t​ wo​ regions: T​ horacic and
Abdominopelvic

● Separated by the d​ iaphragm:​ a​ flat muscular
sheet

a. Internal organs are partially or completely enclosed by ​viscera:​ ​A
delicate layer that encloses organs and lines cavities.

b. Organs and cavities​ are lined with a ​visceral​ ​layer
1. Thoracic cavity:​ Contains everything in the chest

ii. Divided into two parts:​ ​Pericardium​ a​ nd ​Pleural​ c​ avities
Part 1: P​ ericardium​ (layers that surround the heart)

● Mediastinum:​ Surrounds and supports the pericardial cavity and
the heart, thymus, trachea, and esophagus.

Part 2:

Pleural cavity​ (​ there are 2) surrounds a lung.
● The membrane that lines the cavity is called the ​pleura​.

2. A​ bdominopelvic cavity: E​ xtends from the diaphragm to the pelvis.
​Abdominal cavity: C​ ontains liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines
● Lined with peritoneum (a serous membrane)
P​ elvic cavity:​ C​ ontains urinary bladder and reproductive organs.

IV. Body Systems: ​There are ​11​ systems in the human body with major functions

and components. Each system aids in maintaining ​homeostasis:​ the tendency of
the body to maintain a stable equilibrium.

1. Integumentary (skin)​: Protects against environmental hazards, relates body
temperature, assists in cooling the body.

2. Skeletal (bone)​: Provides support; protects tissues/organs, stores minerals,
blood cell formation.

3. Muscular​: Allows for locomotion, provides support, produces heat.
4. Cardiovascular(heart/blood)​: Transports cells, materials, and nutrients
5. Respiratory​: Delivers air, produces sound, exhales waste gases
6. Reproductive (male/female)​: Produces sex cells and hormones, supports

fertilization and growth of off-spring (female)
7. Nervous​: Directs responses to stimuli, coordinates activities throughout the

body.
8. Digestive (excretory)​: Processes food, absorbs nutrients, excretes waste
9. Endocrine (hormones):​ Directs long-term changes in activities of organ

systems.
10. Urinary (excretory):​ Eliminates water, salts and waste products. Assists in

water balance.
11. Lymphatic: Defends against infection and disease, returns tissue fluid to the

bloodstream.

V. Homeostasis: ​The tendency toward internal balance
Homeostatic regulation involves
a. Receptor: Sensitive to a particular environmental change or stimulus
b. Effector: A cell or organ that responds to the commands of the control center
(brain).
I. N​ egative Feedback:​ Regardless if the stimulus rises or falls at the

receptor, a variation outside the normal limits will trigger an automatic response that
controls the situation.

Example:​ ​Thermoregulation: ​The body will warm up or cool down
to maintain a homeostatic temperature.

II. P​ ositive Feedback:​ The initial stimulus produces a response that
reinforces the stimulus.

Example:​ Blood clotting response, labor and delivery