Anatomical Planes, Axes and

Directions and Body Systems

Terms
Anatomy
study of the the structure and shape of the body
and body parts and their relationship to one
another.

Physiology
Study of how the body and its parts work or
function.

Levels of Structural Organization

Atoms
Cells
Tissues
Organ
Organ system
Organism

Definitions
Cell
Smallest unit of a living thing

Definitions
Tissue
group of similar cells that have a common
function
4 main types

Connective
Epithelial
Muscle
Nervous

Definitions
Organ
Structure that is composed of two or more tissue
types and performs a specific function for the
body
Examples
Heart
Brain
Lung

Definitions
Organ System
A group of organs that cooperate to accomplish a
common function
Examples
Digestive
Circulatory
Respiratory

Definitions
Organism
highest level of organization in a living thing
11 organ systems in the human body

Organ Systems

Urinary (Excretory)
Respiratory
Integumentary
Muscular
Endocrine
Reproductive
Skeletal
Digestive
Circulatory (Cardiovascular)
Nervous

Integumentary system
External body
covering - SKIN
Waterproofs, cushions
and protects
Serves in excretion
and temperature
regulation

Skeletal System
Bones, cartilages,
ligaments and joints
Supports body
Provides framework for
muscles to cause
movement
Protects internal organs

Muscular System
Enables the body to
move

Nervous System
Fast acting control
system
Brain, spinal cord,
nerves and sensory
organs

Endocrine System
Slower-acting control
system
Glands that produce
hormones
Controls growth,
reproduction, food
use, etc.

Cardiovascular System
3 main parts
Heart
blood vessels
blood
Carries oxygen,
nutrients, etc. to and
from tissues.

Lymphatic System
Helps return fluids
leaked from the blood
back to the blood
vessels
Cleanses blood
Role in immunity

Respiratory System
Gets oxygen into the
body / bloodstream
Removes carbon
dioxide

Digestive System
Tube running from
mouth to anus
2 jobs that work
together:
Breaks down food
Absorbs nutrients
for use by the body

Urinary System
Removes nitrogen
waste products from
blood and flushes
them from the body in
urine

Reproductive System
Produce offspring

Major Life functions

Maintaining boundaries
integumentary

Movement
Muscular
skeletal

Responsiveness
Nervous

Breaking down food

digestive

Metabolism (using food to provide energy)

Digestive; respiratory; circulatory; endocrine

Excretion
Urinary
digestive

Reproduction
Reproductive
endocrine

Growth
endocrine

Survival Needs

Nutrients
Oxygen
Water
Body temperature
Atmospheric pressure
All these must be present in appropriate
amounts

Language of Anatomy
Anatomical Position
Left and right are from
SPECIMENS point of
view

Regional Terms anterior landmarks

Abdominal
Axillary
Brachial
Carpal
Cervical
Coxal
Digital
Femoral
Nasal
Oral
Orbital
Patellar
Pelvic
Pubic
Sternal
umbilical

Regional Terms posterior landmarks

Calcaneal
Cephalic
Deltoid
Gluteal
Lumbar
Occipital
Sacral
Scapular
Vertebral

Directional Terms
Superior

Inferior

Directional Terms
Anterior

Posterior

Directional Terms
Medial
Lateral

Directional Terms
Proximal
Distal

Directional Terms
Superficial

Deep

Body Planes and Sections

Section
Plane
Sagittal
Frontal ; coronal
Transverse

Planes
Sagittal
Left/right

Planes
Frontal (coronal)
Anterior/posterior

Planes
Transverse
Inferior/superior

Body Cavities
Body cavities provide protection to organs

Dorsal Body Cavity

Cranial Cavity
Contains brain
Spinal cavity
Contains spinal
cord

Ventral Body Cavity

Contains the visceral
organs
All structures in chest and
abdomen

2 divisions
Thoracic cavity
Above diaphragm

Abdominopelvic cavity
Below diaphragm

Two fundamental divisions of the

body
Axial
Appendicular

Serous membranes
2 membranes
Parietal
lines body cavity

Visceral
Covers organs

Fluid in between

In an auto accident
Which organs are
most vulnerable?