INTRODUCTION
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY
Dr. Aravind James,
BNYS, PGDPC
Anatomy
The study of the structure and shape of the
body and body parts & their relationships to
one another. The term anatomy comes from
the Greek words meaning to cut (tomy) apart
( ana) .
Physiology
The study of how the body and its parts work
or function
physio =nature , ology = the study of.
Level of Structural Organization
1- Chemical level , the simplest level of
structural ladder .At this level atoms
combine to form molecules such as water,
sugar, & proteins
2- Cellular level the smallest units of living
things .
3- Tissue level , groups of similar cells that
have a common function
4- Organ level, an organ is a structure
composed of 2 or more tissue types that
performs a specific function.
5- Organ System is a group of organs that
work together to accomplish a common
purpose (each organ has its own job to
do)
6- Organismal level , represents the
highest level of structural organization(
total of 11 organ systems)
BODY SYSTEM: THE HUMAN
BODY HAS 11 SYSTEMS
1-INTEGUMENTARY
ORGANS
• Skin
FUNCTIONS
• Waterproofs, cushions, protects
deeper tissue
• Excretes salts & urea; pain, pressure
• Regulates body temp; synthesize
vitamin D
2-SKELETAL
ORGANS
• Bones, cartilages, ligaments, joints
FUNCTIONS
• Protects & supports body organs
• Framework for muscles &
movement
• Hematopoiesis; store minerals
3- MUSCULAR
ORGANS
• Skeletal muscle (attached to bone)
FUNCTIONS
• Contraction & mobility
(locomotion)
• Facial expression, posture
• Produce body heat
4- NERVOUS
ORGANS
• Brain, spinal cord, nerves, & sensory
receptors
FUNCTIONS
• Fast-acting central control system
• Responds to external/internal stimuli
via nerve impulses (electrical messages)
5- ENDOCRINE
ORGANS
• Pituitary, thyroid, parathyroids,
adrenals, thymus, pancreas, pineal,
ovaries, testes…..etc.
FUNCTIONS
• Slow -acting control system
• Glands produce hormones that
regulate growth, reproduction,
metabolism,…. etc.
6- CIRCULATORY
ORGANS
• Heart, blood vessels, capillaries
&blood
FUNCTIONS
• Carries O2 nutrients, hormones, &
other substances to and from tissue
cells
• White blood cells protect against
bacteria, toxins, tumors
7- LYMPHATIC
ORGANS
• Lymphatic vessels, lymph nodes,
spleen, tonsils
FUNCTIONS
• Complements circulatory system by
returning leaked fluid back to blood
vessels
• Cleanses the blood; involved in
immunity
8- RESPIRATORY
ORGANS
• Nasal cavity, pharynx, larynx, trachea,
bronchi, & lungs
FUNCTIONS
• Keeps blood supplied with O2 &
removes CO2
• Carries out gas exchanges through air
sacs in lungs
9- DIGESTIVE
ORGANS
• Oral cavity, esophagus, stomach,
small intestine, large intestine,
rectum, anus (liver & pancreas)
FUNCTIONS
• Breaks food down into absorbable
units that enter the blood;
indigestible food eliminated as feces
10- URINARY (EXCRETORY)
ORGANS
• Kidney, ureter, urinary bladder, urethra
FUNCTIONS
• Eliminates nitrogenous waste from the
body (urea & uric acid)
• Regulates water, electrolytes, & acid-
base balance of the blood
11- REPRODUCTIVE
ORGANS
• Male
– Seminal vesicles, prostate, penis,
vas deferens, testis, scrotum
• Female
– Ovaries, mammary glands, uterus,
vagina, uterine tube
FUNCTIONS
• Primary function for both sexes is to
produce offspring
• Male – testes produce sperm & male
sex hormones
• Female – ovaries produce eggs &
female sex hormones; mammary
glands for nourishment
Homeostasis
• Describes the body’s ability to maintain
relatively stable internal conditions even
though the outside world is continuously
changing
• The literal translation of homeostasis is
“unchanging,”( homeo= the same, stasis
= standing still which is not true).
The term does not really mean a static, or
unchanging, state. Rather, it indicates a
dynamic state of equilibrium, or a
balance, in which internal conditions vary,
but always within relatively narrow limits.
In general, the body is in homeostasis when its needs
are adequately met and it is functioning smoothly.
Homeostatic Imbalance
Homeostasis is so important that most disease
can be regarded as a result of its disturbance, a
condition called homeostatic imbalance. As we
age, our body’s control systems become less
efficient, and our internal environment becomes
less and less stable. These events increase our risk
for illness and produce the changes we associate
with aging.
The Language of Anatomy
ANATOMICAL POSITION
– Standing erect
– Feet parallel
– Arms hanging at the sides
– Palms facing forward
Anatomical position – body is erect with the feet parallel
and the arms hanging at the sides with the palms
facing forward. (It’s important to note throughout this
course, most terminology refers to this position
regardless of the position the body happens to be in at
the time)
Directional terms
• Superior – toward the head end or upper part of a
structure or body; above
• Inferior – away from the head end or toward the
lower part of a structure or body; below
• Anterior – toward or at the front of the body; in
front of
• Posterior – toward or at the backside of the body;
behind
• Medial – toward or at the midline of the body; on
the inner side of
• Lateral – away from the midline of the body; on the
outer side of
• Proximal – close to the origin of the body part or
the point of attachment of a limb to the body
trunk.
• Distal – farther from the origin of a body or the
point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk.
• Superficial (external) – toward or at the body
surface.
• Deep (internal) – away from the body surface; more
internal.
REGIONAL TERMS
THERE ARE MANY VISIBLE
LANDMARKS ON THE SURFACE
OF THE BODY:
- ANTERIOR BODY
LANDMARKS
- POSTERIOR BODY
LANDMARKS