Ch01 Orientation To The Human Body

Chapter 1
Orientation to the Human Body
Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Objectives
At the end of this module, the student should be able to:
• Define anatomy and physiology.

• Describe the level of organization in an organism from the very simple to
the very complex.
• Define terms relating to anatomical positions and body sections.
• Identify the major body cavities and their associated organs and
membranes.
• Explain the process of homeostasis .

Definitions
• Anatomy: The study of the structures

of the body
• Physiology: The study of how the
body functions

Organization of the Body
• Arranged in a hierarchy
• Ranges from the very simple to the
very complex

• Atoms link together to form molecules.
• Molecules are organized into various structures, including organelles.
• Organelles are within the cells that perform a specific function necessary to
the life of the cell
• Cells are the smallest living units that make up the human body.
• Cells group together to form tissues which are specialized groups of cells
with similar structure and function
• Tissues come together to form organs that carry out a particular function
(such as the heart, stomach, or kidney) .
• Groups of organs form an organ system that contribute to a particular

function.
• All of the organ systems together form a human organism.
Atoms Molecule Organelle
Organ Tissue Cell

Organization of the Body (cont’d)
Organ Systems
The Human Organism

Question
The smallest living units that make up the

body’s structure are:
A. molecules.
B. organelles.
C. atoms.
D. cells.

Answer
Correct answer: D
Rationale:
• Molecules and atoms come together to
form cells, which are the smallest
living units.
• Organelles are metabolic units within cells
but are not living units on their own.

Organ Systems
• The body consists of 11 organ systems.
• The organs of each system contribute to a particular

function.
• Some organs belong to more than
• one system for e.g
the pharynx is a part of both the respiratory and digestive
systems and the male urethra is a part of both the
reproductive and urinary systems.

Integumentary System
• Made of Skin, hair, nails
• Key functions of the integumentary system:

•Protection
•Temperature regulation
•Water retention
•Sensation

Skeletal System
• Made of bones, cartilage and ligaments
• Key functions of the skeletal system:
•Protection of body organs
•Support
•Movement
•Blood formation

Muscular System
• Made of Primarily skeletal muscles
• Key functions of the muscular system:

•Movement
•Posture
•Heat production

Lymphatic System
Made of Lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, lymph,
thymus, spleen, and tonsils
• Key functions of the lymphatic system:

•Role in fluid balance
•Production of immune cells
•Defense against disease

Respiratory System
Nose, pharynx, larynx, trachea,
bronchi, and lungs
• Key functions of the respiratory system:
•Absorption of oxygen
•Discharge of carbon dioxide
•Acid-base balance
•Speech

Urinary System
• Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra
• Key functions of the urinary system:
•Excretion of wastes
•Regulation of blood volume and pressure
•Control of fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance

Nervous System
• Brain, spinal cord, and sense organs
• Key functions of the nervous system:
•Control, regulation, and coordination of other systems
•Sensation
•Memory

Endocrine System
• Pituitary gland, adrenals, pancreas, thyroid, parathyroids, and
other organs
• Key functions of the endocrine system:
•Hormone production
•Control and regulation of other systems

Circulatory System
• Heart, arteries, veins and capillaries
• Key functions of the circulatory system:
•Distribution of oxygen, nutrients, wastes, hormones, immune
cells, electrolytes, and antibodies
•Fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance

Digestive System
• Stomach, small and large intestines, esophagus, liver, mouth,
and pancreas
• Key functions of the digestive system:
•Breakdown and absorption of nutrients
•Elimination of wastes

Male Reproductive System
• Testes, vas deferens, prostate seminal vesicles, and penis
• Key functions of the male reproductive system:
•Production and delivery of sperm
•Secretion of sex hormones

Female Reproductive System
Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus,
vagina, and breasts
• Key functions of the female reproductive system:
•Production of eggs
•Site of fertilization and fetal development
•Birth
•Lactation

Question
Which organ system supplies the body with

immune cells?
A. Integumentary system
B. Lymphatic system
C. Endocrine system
D. Nervous system

Answer
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• The integumentary system offers the body
protection but does not supply immune cells.
• The endocrine system consists of a variety of
organs that secrete hormones.
• The nervous system consists of the brain, spinal
cord, and nerves.
• Both the endocrine and nervous systems
influence other systems, but they do not supply
immune cells.

Anatomical Terms
Terms are based on the
anatomical position which is Midline
Standing erect with arms at sides
and with face, palms, and feet
facing forward.
Medial
Directional terms:
Grouped in pairs of opposites Lateral
Proximal
Distal

Directional Terms (cont’d)
Superior
Anterior (Ventral) Posterior (Dorsal)
Superficial
Deep

Inferior
Body Planes
•Planes divide the body lengthwise into right and left sides.
•When a plane is exactly midline, it is called a midsagittal

plane.

Body Planes
• A transverse plane divides the body horizontally
into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions; it
is also called a horizontal plane.

Body Planes
•A frontal plane divides the body lengthwise into anterior and
posterior portions.
•The frontal plane is also called a coronal. The word coronal
comes from a Latin word meaning “crown.”

Question
Rachel has a cut on her leg just above her

ankle. The injured area is:
A. distal to her knee.

B. proximal to her knee.
C. anterior to her knee.
D. medial to her knee.

Answer
Correct answer: A
Rationale:
• A cut proximal to the knee would be on
the upper portion of the leg.
• A cut anterior to the knee would be on the
front of the knee.
• A cut medial to the knee would be on the
inside portion of the knee.

Body Cavities
•The ventral cavity is located at the front of the body. It
consists of two compartments (the thoracic and
abdominopelvic), which are separated by the diaphragm.
•The dorsal cavity is located at the back of the body. It

contains two divisions (the cranial and vertebral cavities), but
is one continuous cavity.
•The cranial cavity is formed by the skull and contains the

brain.
•The vertebral cavity is formed by the vertebrae and contains

the spinal cord.
•
Body Cavities

Thoracic Cavity
• Enclosed by the ribs, sternum, rib cartilages and intercostal muscles.
• Separated from the abdomen by the diaphragm
• Most of the thoracic cavity is occupied by the lungs.
• Mediastinum - space between the two lungs - contains the heart,

major blood vessels, trachea & bronchi, & esophagus
34
• The thoracic cavity is lined with a membrane called the
parietal pleura
• Each lung is covered by visceral pleura.
• The space between parietal and visceral pleural

membranes is called pleural cavity that contains watery
fluid (serous fluid)
35
The Abdominal Cavity:
The abdomen is limited above by the diaphragm,

behind by the vertebral column and back muscles,
at the sides, by the lower ribs
Anteriorly, by the abdominal muscles
Below, the abdomen is continuous with the pelvic cavity
(together termed as abdominopelvic cavity). 36
• In the abdominopelvic cavity, the lining
membranes are called peritoneal membranes.
• A parietal peritoneum lines the wall, and a

visceral peritoneum covers each organ in the
abdominal cavity.
• The peritoneal cavity is the potential space

between these membranes.
37
The abdomen contains:
• Stomach
• Liver
• Pancreas
• Spleen
• kidneys
• upper part of
the intestine
• blood vessels,
nerves and
glands
38
The Pelvic Cavity :
This cavity is continuous with the abdomen.
It is protected behind and at the sides by the bones of the
pelvic girdle, and in front, by the abdominal muscles.
The pelvic cavity contains :

• The lower parts of intestines
• The urinary bladder
• The reproductive structures
and associated blood
vessels, nerves and glands.
39
Question
The heart is located in the:
A. ventral cavity.
B. mediastinum.
C. pleural cavity.
D. dorsal cavity.

Answer
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• The ventral cavity is a more general
location that includes the mediastinum.
• The pleural cavities contain the lungs.
• The dorsal cavity is located at the back of
the body; it consists of the cranial and
vertebral cavities.

Homeostasis
• Homeostasis is the state of dynamic equilibrium of the
internal environment of the body.
• The body operates within a narrow range of temperature,

fluids, and chemicals.
•The body’s internal temperature can be used as an example

of homeostasis. Internal body temperature should remain
between 97° and 99°F (36° to 38°C) despite changes in
outside temperature.
•The range of normal is the set point or set point range.

Homeostatic Regulation
Involves a(n):
1. Receptor: Detects change
2. Control center: An area of the body that
receives and processes information
from the receptor
3. Effector: Sends signals (feedback) that
either oppose or enhance the stimulus

Definitions
• Negative feedback: When the effector opposes the stimulus and
reverses the direction of change
• Positive feedback: When the effector reinforces the stimulus
and amplifies the direction of change
•Most homeostatic regulation is through negative feedback.

•One of the few examples of positive feedback occurs during
childbirth, when uterine contractions trigger the release of the
hormone oxytocin; in turn, oxytocin causes even greater
contractions.

Negative Feedback
• A falling temperature signals

the thermostat.
• The thermostat (which has a “set point” of
68°) sends a message to the furnace.
• The furnace generates heat, raising
the temperature.

Negative Feedback in the Body
• The outside temperature falls.

• Temperature receptors in the skin send a
message to the brain.
• The hypothalamus sends nerve impulses
to the muscles.
• The muscles shiver, raising
body temperature.
View animation on “Negative feedback (homeostasis)”

Question
The body maintains equilibrium through

the process of:
A. homeostasis.
B. negative feedback.
C. positive feedback.
D. shivering.

Answer
Correct answer: B
Rationale:
• Homeostasis is a state of being, not
a process.
• Positive feedback is rarely beneficial to
the body, and therefore does not
promote homeostasis.
• Shivering may be used to increase
temperature, but it is not a process for
achieving equilibrium.

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Chapter 1

Orientation to the Human Body

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

• Define anatomy and physiology.

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

• Anatomy: The study of the structures

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

• Molecules are organized into various structures, including organelles.

• Groups of organs form an organ system that contribute to a particular

Atoms Molecule Organelle

Organ Tissue Cell

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

The Human Organism

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

The smallest living units that make up the

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

• The organs of each system contribute to a particular

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

• Made of Skin, hair, nails

• Key functions of the integumentary system:

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

• Key functions of the muscular system:

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

• Key functions of the lymphatic system:

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Which organ system supplies the body with

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Anterior (Ventral) Posterior (Dorsal)

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

•When a plane is exactly midline, it is called a midsagittal

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Rachel has a cut on her leg just above her

A. distal to her knee.

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

•The dorsal cavity is located at the back of the body. It

•The cranial cavity is formed by the skull and contains the

•The vertebral cavity is formed by the vertebrae and contains

Copyright © 2015. F.A. Davis Company

• Separated from the abdomen by the diaphragm

• Most of the thoracic cavity is occupied by the lungs.

• Mediastinum - space between the two lungs - contains the heart,

• Each lung is covered by visceral pleura.

• The space between parietal and visceral pleural

The abdomen is limited above by the diaphragm,

• A parietal peritoneum lines the wall, and a

• The peritoneal cavity is the potential space

The pelvic cavity contains :