Questions you should be able to answer after lecture.

WEEK 1: AN INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY

1. Define the terms anatomy and physiology, and explain their relationship using an
example of a human structure with its corresponding function.

Anatomy is the study of the structure and shape of the body and its parts. Physiology is
the study of how the body and its parts work or function. The lungs are an essential body part
that can be studied when one studies anatomy. The most essential function of the lungs is to
maintain respiration.

2. List, in order from least to most complex, the levels of structural organization,
discuss the relationship between the levels, and name an example at each level.

1. Chemical Level- atoms combine to form molecule. Different elements and molecules are
example of this. Water is a molecule that is abundant in the human body.
2. Cellular Level- the smallest units of all living things. Cells are made up of molecules. A
smooth muscle cell is an example of this.
3. Tissue Level- consists of groups of similar cells that have a common function. Smooth muscle
tissue is an example of this.
4. Organ Level- a structure that is composed of two or more tissue types and performs a specific
function for the body. The heart is an example of this.
5. Organ system Level- a group of organs that cooperate to accomplish a common purpose. The
cardiovascular system is an example of this.
6. Organism Level- represents the highest level of structural organization and made up of many
organ systems. Humans are an example of this.

3. List the 11 organ systems of the human organism, name the major organs within
each, and give a general function for each system.

1. Integumentary: Forms the external body covering. Protects deeper tissue from injury.
Synthesizes vitamin D. Location of cutaneous nerve receptors. The skin is the main
organ.
2. Skeletal: Protects and supports body organs. Provides muscle attachment for movement,
stores minerals and is the site of blood cell formation. Cartilage, joints and bones are the
organs of the skeletal system.
3. Muscular: The muscular system allows for locomotion, helps maintain posture, and
produces’ heat. The skeletal muscles are the organs of this system.
4. Nervous: The nervous system is a fast acting control system that responds to internal and
external changes and activates muscles and glands. The brain, sensory receptor, spinal cord and
nerves make up this system
5. Endocrine: The endocrine system secretes regulatory hormones that help with growth,
reproduction and metabolism. The pineal gland, pituitary gland, thyroid gland (parathyroid
glands on posterior aspect), thymus gland, adrenal gland, pancreas, testis (male) and ovary
(female) make up this system.
6. Cardiovascular: The cardiovascular system transports materials in the body via the blood
pumped by the heart. This helps transport materials like oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, and
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wastes. The heart and blood vessels make up this system.

7. Lymphatic: The lymphatic system returns fluids to blood vessels, disposes off debris and is
involved in immunity. The thoracic duct, lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels make up this
system.
8. Respiratory: The respiratory system keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon
dioxide. The nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchus, and lungs make up this system.
9. Digestive: The digestive system breaks down food, allows for nutrient absorption into blood
and eliminates indigestible material. The oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large
intestine, rectum and anus make up this system.
10. Urinary: The urinary system eliminates nitrogenous wastes, maintains acid-base balance,
rand regulates material like water and electrolytes. The kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, and
urethra make up this system.
11. Reproductive: The reproductive system is used in the production of offspring. In men the
seminal vesicles, penis, prostate gland, vas deferens, testis and scrotum make up this system. In
women the mammary glands (in breasts), uterine tube, ovary, uterus and vagina make up this
system.
4. Name the six life processes that distinguish living from non-living things.
Movement, maintain boundaries, responsiveness, digestion, metabolism, excretion, reproduction
and growth.
5. Specify the five environmental needs required for life.
Nutrients- chemical for energy and cell building like carbohydrates and proteins
Oxygen- required for chemical reactions.
Water- Provides for metabolic reaction.
Stable body temperature
Atmospheric pressure must be appropriate
6. Define the term homeostasis, what is involved in maintaining homeostasis, and
explain how a homeostatic mechanism is regulated (i.e. negative feedback) by using
examples that you find.
Homeostasis is the metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological
mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes.
Maintaining homeostasis requires the body communicating through neural and hormonal
control systems, responding to changes in the environment, sending information to the
control center, and proper response to the stimulus. Negative feedback includes most
homeostatic control mechanisms. These shut off the original stimulus or reduce the
intensity and it works like a household thermostat. There is also positive feedback, which
increases the original stimulus to push the variable farther. In the body this occurs only in
blood clotting and childbirth.

7. Demonstrate what is meant by "anatomical position".

The position with the body erect with the arms at the sides and the palms forward. The
anatomical position is of importance in anatomy because it is the position of reference for
anatomical nomenclature. Anatomic terms such as anterior and posterior, medial and lateral,
abduction and adduction, and so on apply to the body when it is in the anatomical position.
8. Define various directional terms (i.e. superior, inferior, etc.), and compare different
body parts using these terms (i.e. the elbow is proximal to the wrist).
Superior- Above, toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body. The forehead is
Questions you should be able to answer after lecture.

superior to the nose.

Inferior- Below, Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body, the
navel is inferior to the breastbone.
Anterior- In front of, toward or at the front of the body, the breastbone is anterior to the spine
Posterior- Behind, toward the backside of the body, the heart is posterior to the breastbone
Medial- The inner side, toward or at the midline of the body, the heart is medial to the arm
Lateral- Outer side, away from the midline of the body, the arms are lateral to the chest
Intermediate- between a more medial and a more lateral structure, the armpit is intermediate
between the breastbone and the shoulder
Proximal- Close to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body
trunk, the elbow is proximal to the wrist
Distal- Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body
trunk. The knee is distal to the thigh.
Superficial- Toward or at the body surface, the skin is superficial to the skeleton
Deep- Away from the body surface, more internal, the lungs are deep to the rib cage
Ipsilaterial- On the same side of the body. Your right thumb and right index finger are ipsilateral.
Contralateral- On the opposite side of the body. Your right elbow and left elbow are
contralateral.
9. List both anterior and posterior anatomical landmarks (i.e. orbital, inguinal, etc.).
Anterior- Nasal, oral, cervical, acromial, thoracic, brachial, antcubital, abdominal, umbilical,
carpal, digital, pubic, patellar, crural (leg), tarsal, orbital, buccal, sternal, axillary, pelvic, coxal,
inguinal, femoral and fibular.
Posterior- Cephalic, femoral, occipital, deltoid, scapular, vertebral, lumbar, sacral, gluteal,
popliteal and sural.
10. Name the three major body sections (planes, cuts), and describe how each would be
accomplished.
Median (midsagittal)- One would have to cut longitudinally through the middle of the body from
front to back, dividing it into right and left halves.
Frontal (Coronal) Plane- This is an imaginary plane that divides the body into anterior (ventral)
and posterior (dorsal) halves along the longitudinal (left-right) axis.
Transverse Plane- A plane passing horizontally through the body, at right angles to the sagittal
and frontal planes, and dividing the body into upper and lower portions. Divides the body
into superior and inferior parts.

11. Designate the five major human body cavities and name the organs within each on a
human diagram.
Cranial Cavity- Brain
Spinal Cavity- Spinal Cord
Thoracic Cavity- Heart, lungs
Abdominal Cavity- Digestive viscera
Pelvic Cavity- Bladder, reproductive organs and rectum.

12. Describe the anatomical importance of the diaphragm muscle and make sure you
can spell it correctly!!!!
The diaphragm separates the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It is the principal muscle of
respiration
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13. Describe the nine regions of the abdominopelvic cavity and the four quadrants of
the abdominopelvic cavity and list the major organs found within each.
Right hypochondriac region: Liver, gall bladder, small intestine, ascending colon, transverse
colon, right kidney
epigastric region: esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, small intestine, transverse colon, right
and left adrenal glands, pancreas, right and left kidneys, right and left ureters, spleen
Left hypochondriac region: Stomach, tip of liver, tail of pancreas, small intestines, transverse
colon, descending colon, pancreas, left kidney, spleen
Right lumbar region: Tip of liver, gall bladder, small intestine, ascending colon, and right
kidney
Umbilical region: Stomach, pancreas, small intestine, transverse colon, pancreas, right and left
kidneys, right and left ureters
Left lumbar region: Small intestine, descending colon, tip of left kidney
Right iliac (inguinal) region: Small intestine, appendix, cecum and ascending colon, F- uterus,
right ovary, right fallopian tube
Hypogastric (pubic) region: Small intestine, sigmoid colon, rectum, right and left ureters,
urinary bladder, f-uterus, right and left ovaries, right and left fallopian tubes, m-vas deferens,
seminal vesicle, prostrate
Left iliac (inguinal) region: Small intestine, descending colon, sigmoid colon, F-left ovary, left
fallopian tube

Quadrants: Right upper, left upper, right lower, left lower

14. Distinguish between visceral and parietal serous membranes, and differentiate
between pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal varieties.
Visceral Serosa: Covers the internal organs
Parietal Serosa: Covering the body walls
Serous Fluid: Separates the serosae
Pericardial: encloses the heart
Pleural: Each houses a lung
Peritoneal: serous membrane that forms the lining of the abdominal cavity or the coelom -- it
covers most of the intra-abdominal (or coelomic) organs
15. Name the function of serous fluid.
Serous fluid separates the serosae. Serous fluid lubricates and conducts electrical impulses from
the brain through the nerve endings at the organ surrounded by the fluid.