Organization of the Body

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The Human Body

The structure of a part suits the

function of a part
o Anatomy – structure of a part
o Physiology – function of a part
Organization of Body Parts

o Levels of Organization
• Chemical
• Cellular
• Tissue
• Organs
• Organ Systems
• Organism
Anatomical Terms

Used to describe:
o Location of body parts
o Regions of the body
o Imaginary planes by which the
body can be sectioned
Anatomical Terms

Anatomical position –
common reference point
for all anatomical terms
Anatomical Terms

Directional Terms
o Anterior (ventral)/Posterior (dorsal)
o Superior/Inferior
o Medial/Lateral
o Proximal/Distal
o Superficial/Deep
o Central/Peripheral
o Ipsilateral/Contralateral
Anatomical Terms

Regions of the Body

o Axial portion – head, neck, and
trunk
o Appendicular portion – upper and
lower limbs
Anatomical Terms

Planes and Sections of the Body

o Sagittal (median) plane – divides
body into right and left portions
o Frontal (coronal) plane – divides
body into anterior and posterior
portions
o Transverse (horizontal) plane –
divides body into superior and
inferior portions
Body Cavities and Membranes

o Posterior (dorsal)
• Cranial cavity – contains the brain
• Vertebral canal – contains the spinal
cord
• Meninges – membranous layers lining
dorsal body cavity
Body Cavities and Membranes

o Anterior (ventral)
• Thoracic cavity

Medial portion (mediastinum) – contains
the heart, thymus gland, trachea,
esophagus, and other structures

Right and left portions – contain the lungs
Body Cavities and Membranes

o Anterior (ventral)
• Abdominopelvic cavity

Superior portion (abdominal cavity) –
contains the stomach, liver, spleen,
gallbladder, and most of the small and
large intestines

Inferior portion (pelvic cavity) – contains
the rectum, urinary bladder, internal
reproductive organs, and the rest of the
large intestine
Body Cavities and Membranes

o Parietal serous membrane – line

walls of anterior body cavities
• Thoracic cavity

Parietal Pleura – lines thoracic cavity

Parietal pericardium – creates pericardial
cavity
• Abdominopelvic cavity

Parietal peritoneum – lines the wall of the
abdominal cavity
Body Cavities and Membranes

o Visceral serous membrane –

covers organs of the anterior body
cavity
• Thoracic cavity

Visceral pleura – covers lung tissue

Visceral pericardium – covers heart
• Abdominopelvic cavity

Visceral peritoneum – covers many
organs in abdominopelvic cavity
Body Cavities and Membranes

o Abdominopelvic regions
• Nine regions
• Four quadrants
Organ Systems

Support, Movement, and Protection

o Integumentary System
o Skeletal System
o Muscular System
Organ Systems

Integration and Coordination

o Nervous System
o Endocrine System
Organ Systems

Maintenance of the Body

o Cardiovascular System
o Respiratory System
o Digestive System
o Urinary System
Organ Systems

Reproduction and Development

o Male Reproductive System
o Female Reproductive System
Homeostasis

Homeostasis is the relative constancy of the

body’s internal environment
o External conditions may change
dramatically
o Internal conditions stay within a narrow
range
o Dynamic equilibrium – internal
conditions are not absolutely constant
o Illness results if internal conditions
change to any great degree
Homeostasis

o Components of homeostatic
mechanisms
• Sensor – detects a change in the
internal environment
• Control center – activates the effector
• Effector – produces a response to the
change
Homeostasis

Negative Feedback
o Primary homeostatic mechanism
o Effector reverses the change in the
internal environment
Homeostasis

Positive Feedback
o Effector continues to stimulate the
sensor so that a greater change in
the internal environment occurs
o Helps in completing a process that
has a cutoff point
• Blood clotting
• Childbirth
o Can be harmful
Homeostasis

Homeostasis and Body Systems

o All body systems contribute towards
maintaining homeostasis
o Disease occurs when homeostasis fails
• Local disease – restricted to a specific part of the
body
• Systemic disease – affects several organ
systems or the entire body
• Acute diseases – occur suddenly and last a short
time
• Chronic diseases – develop slowly and are long
term