Chapter 1: An Introduction to

Anatomy and Physiology

Anatomy
• Describes the structures of the body:
– what they are made of
– where they are located
– associated structures

Physiology
• Is the study of:
– functions of anatomical structures
– individual and cooperative functions
 How are living things organized?
• Atoms:
– are the smallest chemical units
• Molecules:
– are a group of atoms working together
• Organelles:
– are a group of molecules working together
• Cells:
– are a group of organelles working together
• Tissues:
– are a group of similar cells working together
• Organs:
– are a group of different tissues working together
• Organ systems (11):
– are a group of organs working together
• Organism:
– is an individual
 Organizing a Muscle

• Protein molecules (chemical level)

• Protein filaments (organelle level)
• Muscle cells (cellular level)
• Cardiac muscle tissue (tissue level)
• Heart (organ level)
 KEY CONCEPTS
• The body is divided into 11 organ systems
• All organ systems work together
• Many organs work in more than 1 organ
system
• Homeostasis: All body systems working
together to maintain a stable internal
environment
• Systems respond to external and internal
changes to function within a normal range
(body temperature, fluid balance)
• Failure to function within a normal range
results in disease
How are living things regulated?
Mechanisms of Regulation
• Autoregulation (intrinsic):
– automatic response in a cell, tissue, or
organ
• Extrinsic regulation:
– responses controlled by nervous and
endocrine systems
Maintaining Normal Limits
• Receptor: receives the stimulus
• Control Center: processes the
signal and sends instructions
• Effector: carries out instructions
• Negative Feedback: response of
the effector negates the stimulus
• Positive Feedback: response of
the effector reinforces the
stimulus
Working Together

Table 1–1
 What are the anatomical terms used to
describe body sections, regions, and
relative positions?
Anatomical Landmarks
Superficial characteristics: surface parts – can be
names or adjectives
 KEY CONCEPT

• Anatomical position:
– hands at sides, palms
forward
• Supine:
– lying down, face up
• Prone:
– lying down, face down
 Quadrants and Regions
• 4 abdominopelvic quadrants • 9 abdominopelvic regions
around umbilicus

Figure 1–7a
Which Direction?
• Lateral:
– side view
• Frontal:
– front view
• Anatomical
direction:
– refers to
the
patient’s
left or right

Figure 1–8
3 Dimensions

• Plane:
– a 3-
dimensional
axis
• Section:
– a slice parallel
to a plane

Figure 1–9
What are the major body cavities and their
subdivisions?
The Ventral Body Cavity
• Coelom:
– divided by the
diaphragm into
the thoracic
cavity and the
abdominopelvic
cavity

Figure 1–10a
 Isolating the Organs
• Serous membranes:

– consist of parietal
layer and visceral
layer

Dividing the Cavities

• Thoracic cavity:
– divided by the
mediastinum into 2
pleural cavities