Chapter 1: Introduction to the
Human Body
• Anatomy- to “dissect” for study – Structure w/function/organization/development
– Surface anat/anatomical imaging: diagnose disease
• X-ray, MRI
Human spinal cord dissection
by first-year medical student.
• Physiology- processes
– Response to stimulus = homeostasis (balance)
Hemoglobin Gaseous Exchange
• Structural & Functional Organization
– Chemical makeup - determines characteristics
– Cell - basic life unit
– Tissue - cells w/similar structure/function
• epithelial, connective, muscle, nervous
– Organ - 2 or > tissues (skin)
– Organ System (11)- organ groups w/common functn
– Organism- living (single to multicelled)
The Human Body: Systems Working Together
• Characteristics of Life
– Organization - parts relate/interact
– Metabolism – E production
– Responsiveness - adjust to stimuli
– Growth - increase in cell size (musc) & #
– Differentiation - general to specialized cells
– Reproduction - new cells/organism
• Homeostasis
– Maintaining normal range around set point
w/changing variables/conditions
• Negative Feedback
– Regulates “normal range”
– Receptors/control center/effecter ->opposite affect
• Positive Feedback
– Increases deviation
– Harmful (seek medical care)
– Rare (childbirth)
• Terminology/Body Plan (etymology)
– Directional (anatomical position)
• Anterior/Post, Dorsal/Vent, Superior/Inf, Cranial/Caud,
Medial/Lat, Proximal/Dist, Superficial/Deep
– Body Parts
– Regions (9)/quadrants (4)
– Planes
• Sagittal (r/l, m/l), traverse (s/i), coronal/frontal (a/p),
• Sectional - interior (long/cs/ob)
(Longitudinal) Long axis
(Cross section) Rt angle to long
– Cavities- thoracic(mediastinum), abdominal, pelvic
• Serous Membranes- parietal/fluid/visceral
– Thoracic cavity- pericardium, pleura (2)
– Abdominopelvic cavity
• Peritoneum (w/mesentery anchor/BV, nerves)
• Retroperitoneal (parietal only) – behind/w/body wall
– Kidneys, pancreas, bladder
Retroperitoneal Organs