The Human Body: An Orientation
Presented by:
Dr. Gina Francisco-Pardilla
Anatomy
Anatomy is the study of
structure and shape of the body
and their relationship.
Derived from Greek words
meaning to cut (tomy) apart
(ana)
Gross vs Microscopic Anatomy
Physiology
Physiology is the study of
function
Derived from the words “physio”
(=nature) and “ology” (=the
study of)
Levels of Organization
Organ System Overview
Integumentary
Provides
protection
– Regulates body
temperature
– Site of cutaneous
receptors
– Synthesizes
vitamin D
– Prevents water
loss
Skeletal
Provides support
and protection
– Site of
hematopoeisis
(blood cell
production)
– Stores calcium
and phosphorus
– Allows body
movement
Muscular
Produces body
movement
– Generates heat
when muscles
contract
Nervous
A fast-acting
regulatory system
that controls body
movement
– Responds to
sensory stimuli
– Helps control all
other systems of
the body
– Also responsible
for consciousness,
intelligence,
memory
Endocrine
Consists of
glands and cell
clusters that
secrete
hormones, some
of which
regulate
body and cellular
growth
chemical levels
in the body
reproductive
functions
Cardiovascular
Consists of a pump
(the heart) that
moves blood
through blood
vessels in order to
distribute
hormones,
nutrients, gases,
and pick up waste
products
Lymphatic
Transports and
filters lymph
(interstitial fluid)
– Initiates an
immune
response when
necessary
Respiratory
Responsible for
exchange of
gases (oxygen
and carbon
dioxide)
between blood
and the air in
the lungs
Digestive
Mechanically
and chemically
digests food
materials
– Absorbs
nutrients
– Expels waste
products
Urinary
Filters the blood
and removes waste
products from the
blood
– Concentrates waste
products in the form
of urine, and expels
nitrogenous wastes
– Regulates water,
electrolytes and pH
Male Reproductive
System
Produces male
sex cells
(sperm) and
male
hormones
(e.g.,
testosterone)
– Transfers
sperm to the
female
Female Reproductive
System
– Produces female sex cells
(oocytes) and female
hormones (e.g., estrogen
and progesterone)
– Receives sperm from
male
– Site of fertilization of
oocyte
– Site of growth and
development of embryo
and fetus
– Mammary glands
produce milk
Maintaining Life
Necessary Life Functions
– Maintaining Boundaries
– Movement
– Responsiveness
– Digestion
– Metabolism
– Excretion
– Reproduction
– Growth
Maintaining Life
Survival needs
– Nutrients (food)
– Oxygen
– Water
– Appropriate temperature
– Atmospheric pressure
Homeostasis
The body’s ability to maintain
relatively stable internal
conditions even though the
outside is continuously changing
Balance
Positive and Negative Feedback
mechanisms
Feedback Mechanisms
• Negative feedback
• Includes most homeostatic control
mechanisms
• Shuts off the original stimulus, or reduces
its intensity
• Works like a household thermostat
Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Slide 1.20a
Feedback Mechanisms
• Positive feedback
• Increases the original stimulus to push the
variable farther
• In the body this only occurs in blood clotting
and childbirth
Copyright © 2003 Pearson Education, Inc. publishing as Benjamin Cummings Slide 1.20b
Homeostatic Control Mechanism
Anatomical
Terminology
Anatomic position is a
specific body position in
which an individual
stands upright with the
feet parallel and flat on
the floor.
The head is level, and
the eyes look forward
toward the observer.
The arms are at either
side of the body with
the palms facing
forward and the thumbs
pointing away from the
body.
Anatomical
Terminology
A plane is an
imaginary surface
that slices the body
into specific
sections.
The three major
anatomic planes of
reference are the
coronal (frontal),
transverse (cross),
and sagittal planes.
Relative and Directional Terms
of the Body
Relative to front (belly
side) or back (back
side) of the body :
– Anterior = In front of;
toward the front surface
– Posterior = In back of;
toward the back surface
– Dorsal =At the back
side of the human body
– Ventral = At the belly
side of the human body
Relative and Directional Terms
of the Body
Relative to the
head or tail of
the body:
– Superior = Toward
the head or above
– Inferior = Toward
feet not head
– Caudal = At the
rear or tail end
– Cranial = At the
head end
Relative and Directional Terms
of the Body
Relative to the
midline or center of
the body:
– Medial = Toward
the midline of the
body
– Lateral = Away
from the midline of
the body
– Deep = On the
inside, underneath
another structure
– Superficial = On
the outside
Relative and Directional Terms
of the Body
Relative to point
of attachment of
the appendage:
– Proximal =
Closest to point
of attachment to
trunk
– Distal =
Furthest from
point of
attachment to
trunk
Body Regions
The human body is partitioned
into two main regions, called the
axial and appendicular regions.
– the axial region includes the
head, neck, and trunk which
comprise the main vertical axis of
our body
– our limbs, or appendages, attach
to the body’s axis and make up
the appendicular region
Body Cavities
The anterior
aspect of the body
has two enclosed
cavities
– A thoracic cavity is
separated by the
diaphragm and
protected by the
rib cage
– A abdominopelvic
cavity is large and
contains many
organs
Body Cavities
The posterior
aspect of the body
has two enclosed
cavities
– A cranial cavity is
formed by the
cranium and
houses the brain.
– A vertebral canal is
formed by the
individual bones of
the vertebral
column and
contains the spinal
cord.
Abdominopelvic Regions
The
abdominopelvic
cavity is
partitioned into 9
smaller,
imaginary
compartments.
THANK YOU!
References:
Marieb, Elaine N., RN, Ph. D, Essentials
of Human Anatomy & Physiology, 7th ed, 2003
[Link]
