This document provides an introduction to human anatomy and physiology. It discusses that anatomy deals with the structure of the body and its parts, while physiology studies how those parts function. It also notes that structure and function are closely related. The document then gives examples of anatomical structures and physiological processes, and defines several key terms and concepts in anatomy and physiology including homeostasis, feedback mechanisms, and anatomical position.

1. Introduction to Human
Anatomy and Physiology

2. Anatomy and Physiology
 Anatomy -- deals with the structure of the
body and its parts
 Physiology -- studies the functions of these
parts or asks the question, “how do they
work?”
 Structure and function closely related
 Which field is most likely to have new
discoveries? Why?

3.  To send a nerve impulse, sodium and
potassium ions must switch places in the cell.
 The human tailbone is a fusion of multiple
vertebrae.
 When the bicep muscle contracts, it pulls on
tendons and ligaments which move the lower
arm toward the upper arm.

4.  Levels of Organization:
CopyrightThe McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

5.  Characteristics of the human
organism
1. Movement (either gross or movement of internal organ)
2. Response to stimuli
3. Growth
4. Reproduction
5. Respiration (take in oxygen, out with carbon dioxide)
6. Digestion
7. Absorption (nutrients taken into bloodstream)
8. Circulation (movement of substances in bodily fluids)
9. Assimilation (changing absorbed substances into chemically
different forms)
10. Excretion
Metabolism: all chemical reactions at work to maintain/allow for these

6.  Life depends on the availability of:
a. Water
b. Food
c. Oxygen
d. Heat (a by-product of metabolism; affects reaction rates)
e. Pressure (force required for movement of air and fluids)
.

7.  Dynamic process of self-regulating controls
which create a stable internal environment
 External conditions are always changing
 To survive, internal conditions must remain
relatively stable…How???

8.  Maintaining a stable
internal
environment
 Organ systems
function to maintain
homeostasis
 Examples?

9. 1. Body has a set point (normal, balanced)
2. Receptors in the body detect deviations
away from set point
3. Brain interprets information
4. Triggers a set of events (using effectors) to
bring the situation back to normal

10.  NEGATIVE FEEDBACK – Correction occurs
opposite direction of stimulus
 Examples:
 Body temp rises; cooling mechanisms activated
 Body temp drops; heating mechanisms activated
 Other examples?
 Blood sugar levels, blood oxygen levels

12.  POSITIVE FEEDBACK - Stimulus amplifies
response in the same direction
 Why?

13. Examples:
 Chemicals present in a blood clot lead to
more clotting
 A baby drinking mother’s milk causes more
milk production
 Pressure in the uterus during childbirth
leads to stronger contractions
Positive Feedback responses are typically
short-term… why?

14.  VITAL SIGNS
 A measure of homeostasis
 Indicate that someone is alive
 What is measured in a test of vital signs?

15.  Monitored to determine level of health:
Vital Sign What is it? Normal
Body Temp 97o-100oF
Blood Pressure 100/60 - 140/90
Heart Rate 60-100 beats/min
Resp Rate 12-20 breaths/min
Pupils Dilate and contract
Blood O2 level >90%
Reflexes Responsive

16.  Lots of vocabulary to describe the body
 Why?
 Allows doctors/health professionals to communicate as
clearly as possible
 Which would you rather hear as a surgeon?
 “It hurts in the left upper side of my chest.”
 “I’m having pain in the left lateral pleural cavity,
superior to the heart.”

17. AXIAL (head, neck, trunk) vs. APPENDICULAR (upper and lower limbs)
Ventral Cavity: Front (anterior)
-thoracic cavity
-diaphragm
-abdominopelvic cavity
Dorsal Cavity: Back (posterior)
-cranial cavity
-vertebral (spinal) cavity
Organization of Body - Body Cavities

18. PARIETAL –
lines body cavity
VISCERAL –
covers organ

19.  Thoracic Cavity
contains
 pleural (lung)
 pericardial (heart)
cavities

21.  Always refer to body
in ANATOMICAL
POSITION
 Face forward
 Palms forward
 Note: Right and left
refer to the patient

22. Anatomical Terminology
 Relative Positions:
Terms used to describe the location of a body
part relative to another part.
Terms include:
superior (closer to the head), inferior
anterior (towards the front), posterior
medial (closer to midline), lateral
proximal (closer to trunk), distal
superficial (towards the surface), deep
ipsilateral (on same side), contralateral
.

23. Anatomical Terminology - Body Sections
1. A sagittal (median) section divides the
body into right and left portions.
2. A transverse (cross) section divides the
body into superior and inferior portions.
3. A coronal (frontal) section divides the
body into anterior and posterior sections.
.

24. CopyrightThe McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

25.  The lesion is
located in the right
thoracic cavity just
lateral to the mid-
sagittal plane.