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Lesson
Orientation to the Human Body

The structure of the body, anatomy, is closely entwined with how it functions, physiology. Once
you learn the structure of a specific part of the body, you’ll naturally want to know how it
works. Learning normal anatomy and physiology will also help you grasp the changes and
symptoms that occur with certain disease processes. The study of the processes that disturb
normal function is called pathophysiology. (Patho means suffering or disease; therefore,
pathophysiology refers to diseased functioning.)

As an example, in a later chapter, you’ll learn that the lungs consist of a series of tubes, called
bronchi, and that the smallest of these bronchi end in tiny sacs, called alveoli. That’s a very
basic description of the structure, or anatomy, of the lung. From there, you’ll learn that oxygen
is absorbed into the bloodstream through the alveoli. That’s how the lung functions: its
physiology. Armed with that information, you can then comprehend why someone becomes
short of breath if the bronchi become narrowed (such as during an acute asthmatic attack) or
blocked (such as from a tumor).

The human body is an amazing organism. It is intricate and complex, but all of its processes
make sense. Embark on this journey to study anatomy and physiology as you would any great
adventure: with interest, excitement, and determination.
Remember: you’re learning about yourself!

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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The human body consists of 11 organ systems. The organs of each system contribute to a
particular function. However, some organs belong to more than one system. Specifically, the
pharynx is part of both the respiratory and the digestive systems, and the male urethra belongs
to both the reproductive and urinary systems.

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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Terms are crucial for navigating your way around the human body. Besides being used to
identify the location of various body parts, the use of proper terms ensures accurate
communication between health-care providers.
Because the body is three-dimensional, a number of different terms are needed. These include
directional terms as well as terms for body planes, body regions, and body cavities.

Directional Terms
Directional terms are generally grouped in
pairs of opposites.

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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Body Planes
Body planes divide the body, or an organ, into sections.

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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Body Regions
The illustration below shows the terms for the different regions of the body. These terms are
used extensively when performing clinical examinations and medical procedures.

Body Cavities
The body contains spaces—called cavities—that house the internal organs. The two major
body cavities are the dorsal cavity and the ventral cavity. Each of these cavities is subdivided
further, as shown below.

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

Because the abdominopelvic cavity is so large, and because it contains numerous organs, it’s
divided further into regions (which are used to locate organs in anatomical studies) as well as
quadrants (which are used to pinpoint the site of abdominal pain).

Abdominal Regions
The illustration below shows the location of the nine abdominal regions. The chart beside it
lists some (but not all) of the organs found in each quadrant. Note that some organs, such as
the liver, stretch over multiple quadrants.

Abdominal Quadrants
Probably used most frequently, lines intersecting at the umbilicus divide the abdominal region
into four quadrants.

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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Homeostasis
To function properly, the body must
maintain a relatively constant internal
environment despite changes in external
conditions. This constancy, or balance, is
called homeostasis. Because the body
must make constant changes to maintain
balance, homeostasis is often referred to
as maintaining a dynamic equilibrium.
(Dynamic means “active,” and equilibrium
means “balanced.”) If the body loses
homeostasis, illness or even death will
occur.

Specifically, the body operates within a

narrow range of temperature, fluids, and
chemicals. This range of normal is called
the set point or set point range. For
example, the body’s internal temperature
should remain between 97° and 99° F (36°– 37.2° C) despite the temperature outside the body.
Likewise, blood glucose levels should remain between 65 and 99 mg/dl, even when you decide
to indulge in an occasional sugar-laden dessert. Just as a gymnast must make constant physical
adjustments to maintain balance on a balance beam, the body must make constant internal
adjustments to maintain homeostasis.

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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Homeostatic Regulation
Maintaining a stable environment requires constant monitoring and adjustment as conditions
change. This process of adjustment (called homeostatic regulation) involves:
1. a receptor (which receives information about a change in the environment),
2. a control center (which receives and processes information from the receptor), and
3. an effector (which responds to signals from the control center by either opposing or
enhancing the stimulus).
The signal sent by the effector is called feedback; feedback can be either negative or positive.
● Negative feedback: when the effector opposes the stimulus (such as a dropping temperature)
and reverses the direction of change (causing the temperature to rise)
● Positive feedback: when the effector reinforces the stimulus (such as uterine contractions
during childbirth, which trigger the release of the hormone oxytocin) and amplifies the
direction of change (causing even greater contractions and further release of oxytocin)
Most systems supporting homeostasis operate by negative feedback. Because positive
feedback is stimulatory, there are only a few situations in which it is beneficial to the body
(such as during childbirth or in blood clotting). More often, positive feedback is harmful (such
as when a high fever continues to rise).

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson
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Review of Key Terms

Anatomy: The study of the structure of the body
Anterior: Toward the front of the body
Distal: Farthest from the point of origin
Dorsal cavity: Located at the back of the body; contains the cranial and spinal cavities
Frontal plane: Divides the body lengthwise into anterior and posterior portions
Homeostasis: The state of dynamic equilibrium of the internal environment of the body
Inferior: Beneath or lower
Lateral: Away from the body’s midline
Medial: Toward the body’s midline
Negative feedback: When the effector opposes the stimulus and reverses the direction of
change
Organ: Structures of two or more tissue types that work together to carry out a
particular function
Organelle: Metabolic units (or “tiny organs”) within a cell that perform a specific function
necessary to the life of the cell
Pathophysiology: Functional changes resulting from disease
Physiology: The study of how the body functions
Positive feedback: When the effector reinforces the stimulus and amplifies the direction of
change
Posterior: Toward the back of the body
Proximal: Closest to the point of origin
Sagittal plane: Divides the body into right and left sides
Superficial: At or near the body’s surface
Superior: Situated above something else
Tissue: Specialized groups of cells with similar structure and function
Transverse plane: Divides the body into upper (superior) and lower (inferior) portions
Ventral cavity: Located at the front of the body; consists of the thoracic and
abdominopelvic cavities

HUMAN ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY Prepared by: JFOC

Source: Understanding Anatomy and Physiolog, 2nd Edition, Gale Sloan Thompson