Melissa Burke

May 26, 2015

Human A&P I:
Buy lab manual AND print handout
2 lab exams

Chapter 1: The Human Body: An Orientation

Anatomy vs. Physiology
Anatomy- structures (how body is put together)
Physiology- function (how parts work together)
Structure determines function
Ex: Lungs- alveoli provides surface are for quicker diffusion (not
just one large space)
6 Levels of Structural Organization
1. Chemical Level: Atoms combine to form molecules
2. Cellular Level: Cells (basic unit of life; composed of chemical) are
made up of molecules
3. Tissue Level: Tissues (groups of cells working together for
common function) consist of similar types of cells
4. Organ Level: Organs are made up of different types of tissues
5. Organ System Level: Organ systems consist of different organs
that work together closely
6. Organismal Level: The human organism is made up of many
organ systems
The Language of Anatomy
Standard Anatomical Position: basic upright position w/ palms
turned forward
The Reclining Body:
o Prone Position: body is lying face down
o Supine position: body is lying face up
Regional Names:
1. Head (Cephalic)
Cranial- associated with skull
Facial
2. Neck (Cervical)
3. Trunk/ Chest (Thoracic)
Abdominopelvic
4. Upper limb (from shoulder to elbow- brachial)
Forearm- Antebrachial
Wrist- Carpal
Palm- Palmar
Fingers- Digital/ Phalangeal
5. Lower limb

 Back- Dorsum/ Dorsal

Thigh- Femoral
Lower Leg- Crural
Sole of foot- Plantar
Toes: Digital or Phalangeal
6. Underarm- axillary
7. Groin- Inguinal

Diretional Terms (Precise and specific- used to describe body

parts relative to each other)
o Superior: toward head (not for describing limbs)
o Inferior: away from head (not for describing limbs)
o Anterior: toward front of body
o Posterior: toward back of body
o Medial: near midline
o Lateral: away from midline
o Intermediate: between medial and lateral structures
o Ipsilateral: same side
o Contralateral: opposite sides
o Proximal: near the attachment of a limb (describe positions
on limbs)
o Distal: farther from the attachment of a limb (describe
positions on
limbs)
o Superficial: toward or on the surface of the body
o Deep: away from the surface of the body
Body Planes and Sections
o Frontal/ Coronal Plane (through torso- cuts body
anterior/posterior)
o Transverse Plane (through torso, interior view-cuts body
superior/
inferior)
o Median Plane (midsagittal- cuts body left/right)
o Example: brain- transverse; median/midsagittal; frontal
section;
where is the right lung? Transverse plane, inferior view
Body Cavaities (fluid filled cavities- protects organs)
o Dorsal (Posterior) Cavity:
Cranial Cavity: protects brain
Vertebral Canal: contains the spinal cord
o Ventral (Anterior) Cavity:
Thoracic Cavity: contains heart and lungs
Pericardial goes around Cavity: fluid filled space
around heart

Pleural Cavity: space around lungs

Mediastinum: contains heart, trachea, esophagus
Diaphram(partition): dome shaped breathing muscle;
seperates the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
Abdominopelvic Cavity: contains digestive viscera
(organs of thoracic and pelvic cavities)
Abdominal Cavity: contains stomach, liver,
gallbladder, parts of intestines, spleen,
pancreas
Pelvic Cavity: bladder, reproductive organs,
lower parts of digestive system
Thoracic and Abdominal Cavity Membranes
o Serious membranes: cover the viscera (organs of thoracic
and pelvic cavities
thin,
slippery,
2-layered membranes
Pariertal Layer- lines body cavities
Visceral Layer- lines organ directly
1. Pleura: serious membrane of the pleural cavities
2. Pericardium: serious membrane of the pericardial
cavity
3. Peritoneum: serious membrane of the abdominal
cavity
Abdominopelvic Quadrants
o vertical and horizontal lines pass through the umbilicus
Right upper quadrant (RUQ): gallbladar/ liver
Left upper quadrant (LUQ): liver/ spleen
Right lower quadrant (RLQ): appendix
Left lower quadrant (LLQ): intestines
Homeostasis: the condition of equilibrium or balance in the
bodys internal enviroment
Regulated by Nervous system (nerve impulses)& Endocrine
system (hormones)
How body regulates internal environment: cycle of events
in which a controlled condition is monitored, evaluated,
changed, remonitored
Three basic components
1. Receptor
2. Control center
3. Effector
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