Written Activity: WEEK 1

Reference: Marieb, Elaine. Essentials of Human Anatomy & Physiology. Tenth

Ed. 2014

I. An Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

1. Define anatomy and physiology

Anatomy – is the study of the structure and shape of the body and
its parts and their relationship to one another. The term
anatomy is derived from the Greek words meaning to cut
(tomy) apart (ana). Gross anatomy when it deals with
large, easily observable structures. Microscopic anatomy,
in contrast, is the study of body structures that are too
small to be seen with the naked eye e.g. cells and tissues
of the body.
Physiology – is the study of how the body and its parts work or function
(physio- nature; ology-the study of).

2. Explain how anatomy and physiology are related.

Anatomy and physiology are always related. The parts of our body
form a well-organized unit, and each of those parts has a job to do to
make the body operate as a whole. Structure determines what
functions can take place. For example, the lungs are not muscular
chambers like the heart and cannot pump blood through the body,
but because the walls of their air sacs are very thin, they can
exchange gases and provide oxygen to the body.

A. Levels of Structural Organization

1. Name the levels of structural organization that make up the
human body and explain how they are related.
1.1 Chemical level – this is the simplest level of the structural
ladder of complexity of the human body. At this level,
atoms, the tiny building blocks of matter, combine to form
molecules such as water, sugar and proteins.
1.2 Cellular level – molecules associate in specific ways to
form microscopic cells, the smallest units of all living things.
In the cellular level, all cells have some common functions,
but individual cells vary widely in size and shape, reflecting
their particular functions in the body.
1.3 Tissue level – while the simplest living creatures are
composed of single cells, complex organisms such as trees
and human beings, the structural ladder continues to the
tissue level. Tissues consist of group of similar cells that have
a common function. Each of the four basic tissue types
 (epithelial, connective, muscular, and neural) plays a
definite but different role in the body.
1.4 Organ level – an organ is a structure composed of two or
more tissue types that performs a specific function for the
body. At the organ level of organization, extremely
complex functions become possible. For example, the
small intestine, which digest and absorbs food, is
composed of all four tissue types.
1.5 Organ system level – is a group of organs that work
together to accomplish a common purpose. For example,
the heart and blood vessels of the cardiovascular system
circulate blood continuously to carry nutrients and oxygen
to all body cells.
1.6 Organismal level – the 11 organ systems make up the living
human being or the organism, which represents the
highest level of structural organization. The organismal
level is the sum total of all structural levels working together
to keep us alive.

2. Name the organ systems of the body and briefly state the major
functions of each system.
2.1 Integumentary system – forms the external body covering;
protects deeper tissue from injury; synthesizes vitamin D;
location of cutaneous (pain, pressure, etc.) receptors and
sweat and oil glands.
2.2 Skeletal system – protects and supports body organs;
provides a framework the muscles use to cause
movement; blood cells are formed within bones; stores
minerals
2.3 Muscular system – allows manipulation of the environment,
locomotion and facial expression; maintains posture;
produces heat.
2.4 Nervous system – fast-acting control system of the body,
responds to internal and external changes by activating
muscles and glands.
2.5 Endocrine system - glands secrets hormones that regulate
processes such as growth, reproduction, and nutrient use
by body cells.
2.6 Cardiovascular system – blood vessels transport blood,
which carries oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients, wastes,
etc.; the heart pumps blood.
2.7 Lymphatic system – picks up fluid leaked from blood
vessels and returns it to blood; disposes of debris in the
lymphatic stream; houses white blood cells involved in
immunity.
2.8 Respiratory system – keeps blood constantly supplied with
oxygen and removes carbon dioxide; the gaseous
 exchanges occur through the walls of the air sacs of the
lungs.
2.9 Digestive system – breaks down into absorbable units that
enter the blood for distribution to body cells; indigestible
foodstuffs are eliminated feces.
2.10 Urinary system – eliminates nitrogen-containing wastes
from the body; regulates water; electrolyte, and acid-base
balance of the blood.
2.11 Reproductive system – overall function of the reproductive
system is production of offspring. Testes produce sperm
and male sex hormone; ducts and glands aid in delivery of
viable sperm to the female reproductive tract. Ovaries
produce eggs and female sex hormones; remaining
structures serve as sites for fertilization and development of
the fetus. Mammary glands of female breast produce milk
to nourish the newborn.

3. Classify by organ system all organs that will be discussed.

3.1 Integumentary system
3.1.1 Skin
3.2 Skeletal system
3.2.1 Cartilages
3.2.2 Joint
3.2.3 Bones
3.3 Muscular system
3.3.1 Skeletal muscles
3.4 Nervous system
3.4.1 Brain
3.4.2 Sensory receptors
3.4.3 Spinal cord
3.4.4 Nerves
3.5 Endocrine system
3.5.1 Pineal gland
3.5.2 Pituitary gland
3.5.3 Thyroid gland
3.5.4 Thymus gland
3.5.5 Adrenal glands
3.5.6 Pancreas
3.5.7 Testis (male)
3.5.8 Ovary (female)
3.6 Cardiovascular system
3.6.1 Heart
3.6.2 Blood vessels
3.7 Lymphatic system
3.7.1 Thoracic duct
3.7.2 Lymph nodes
3.7.3 Lymphatic vessels
3.8 Respiratory system
3.8.1 Nasal cavity
3.8.2 Pharynx
3.8.3 Larynx
3.8.4 Trachea
3.8.5 Bronchus
3.8.6 Left lung
3.9 Digestive system
3.9.1 Oral cavity
3.9.2 Esophagus
3.9.3 Stomach
3.9.4 Small intestine
3.9.5 Large intestine
3.9.6 Rectum
3.9.7 Anus
3.10 Urinary system
3.10.1 Kidney
3.10.2 Ureter
3.10.3 Urinary bladder
3.10.4 Urethra
3.11 Reproductive system
3.11.1 Male reproductive system
3.11.1.1 Seminal vesicles
3.11.1.2 Penis
3.11.1.3 Prostate gland
3.11.1.4 Vas deferens
3.11.1.5 Testis
3.11.1.6 Scrotum
3.11.2 Female reproductive system
3.11.2.1 Mammary glands
3.11.2.2 Uterine tube
3.11.2.3 Ovary
3.11.2.4 Uterus
3.11.2.5 Vagina
4. Draw or make a diagram of the following organ system and
label:
4.1 Digestive System

4.2 Excretory / Urinary System

4.3 Respiratory System

4.4 Circulatory / Cardiovascular System

4.5 Nervous System and the diagram of the nerve cell

4.6 Endocrine System

4.7 Skeletal System

4.8 Muscular System

4.9 Immune System
4.9.1 The skin
4.9.2 The cell
4.10 Reproductive System
B. Maintaining life
1. List functions that humans must perform to maintain life.
1.1 Maintaining boundaries – every living organism must be
able to maintain its boundaries so that its inside remains
distinct from its outside.
1.2 Movement – includes all the activities promoted by the
body to maintain life.
1.3 Responsiveness – or irritability is the ability to sense
changes (stimuli) in the environment and then to react
to them.
1.4 Digestion – is the process of breaking down ingested
food into simple molecules that can then be absorbed
into the blood.
1.5 Metabolism – is a broad term that refers to all chemical
reactions that occur within body cells. It includes
breaking down complex substances into simpler
building blocks, making large structures from smaller
ones, and using nutrients and oxygen to produce
molecules of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy-
rich molecules that power cellular activities.
1.6 Excretion – is the process of removing wastes from the
body.
1.7 Reproduction – the production of offspring.
1.8 Growth – is an increase in size, usually accomplished by
an increase in the number of cells. For growth to occur,
cell-constructing activities must occur at a faster rate
than cell-destroying ones.

2. List survival needs of the human body.

2.1 Nutrients – which the body takes in through food,
contain chemicals used for energy and cell building.
2.2 Oxygen – chemical reactions that release energy from
foods require oxygen
2.3 Water – accounts for 60-80 percent of the body weight,
is the single most abundant chemical substance in the
body that provides the fluid base for body secretions
and excretions.
2.4 Normal body temperature – normal body temperature
must be maintained to continue at life sustaining levels
at 37C (98F). When the body temperature drops below
the normal level, metabolic reactions become slower
and finally stop. When body temperature is too high,
chemical reactions proceed too rapidly and body
proteins begin to break down.
2.5 Appropriate atmospheric pressure – is referred to as the
force exerted on the surface of the body by the weight
of air. Breathing and the exchange of oxygen and
 carbon dioxide in the lungs depend on appropriate
atmospheric pressure. At high altitudes, where the air is
thin and atmospheric pressure is lower, gas exchange
may be too slow to support cellular metabolism.

C. Homeostasis
1. Define homeostasis

Homeostasis describes the body’s ability to maintain relatively

stable internal conditions even though the outside world is
continuously changing.

2. Define negative feedback and describe its roles in maintaining

homeostasis and normal body function.

Most homeostatic control mechanisms are negative feedback

mechanisms. In such systems, the net effect of the response to
the stimulus is to shut off the original stimulus or reduce its
intensity. Our body “thermostat”, located in a part of the brain
called the hypothalamus, operated to regulate body
temperature. Other negative feedback mechanisms regulate
heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and blood levels of
glucose, oxygen, carbon dioxide and minerals.

D. The language of anatomy

1. Describe the anatomical position.

In an anatomical position, the body is erect with the feet parallel

and the arms hanging at the sides with the palms facing forward.
 2. Write and use proper anatomical terminology to describe body
directions, regions, surfaces, and body planes.

2.1. Orientation and directional terms

Term Definition Example
Superior (cranial or Toward the head end The forehead is superior
cephalad) or upper part of a to the nose
structure or the body;
above
Inferior (caudal) Away from the head The navel is inferior to
end or toward the the breastbone
lower part of a structure
or the body; below
Ventral (anterior) Toward or at the front The breastbone is
of the body; in front of anterior to the spine
Dorsal (posterior) Toward or at the The heart is posterior to
backside of the body; the breastbone
behind
Medial Toward or the midline The arms are lateral to
of the body; on the the chest
inner side of
Lateral Away from the midline The arms are lateral to
of the body; on the the chest
outer side of
Intermediate Between a more The collar bone is
medial and a more intermediate between
lateral structure the breastbone and
the shoulder
Proximal Close to the origin or The elbow is proximal to
the body part or the the wrist (meaning that
point of attachment of the elbow is closer to
a limb to the body trunk the shoulder or
attachment point of
the arm than the wrist
is).
Distal Farther from the origin The knee is distal to the
of a body part or the thigh.
point of attachment of
a limb to the body trunk
Superficial (external) Toward or at the body The skin is superficial to
surface the skeleton
Deep (internal) Away from the body The lungs are deep to
surface; more internal the rib cage.
2.2. Anterior Body Landmarks:
 Abdominal – anterior body trunk inferior to the ribs
 Acromial – point of shoulder
 Antebrachial – forearm
 Antecubital – anterior surface of elbow
 Axillary – armpit
 Brachial – arm
 Buccal – cheek area
 Carpal – wrist
 Cervical – neck region
 Coxal – hip
 Crural – leg
 Deltoid – curve of shoulder formed by large deltoid
muscle
 Digital – fingers, toes
 Femoral – thigh
 Fibular – lateral part of leg
 Frontal – forehead
 Inguinal – area where thigh meets body trunk; groin
 Mental – chin
 Nasal – nose area
 Oral – mouth
 Orbital – eye area
 Patellar – anterior knee
 Pelvic – area overlying the pelvis anteriorly
 Pubic – genital region
 Sternal – breastbone area
 Tarsal – ankle region
 Thoracic – chest
 Umbilical – navel

2.3 Posterior Body Landmarks

 Calcaneal – heel of foot
 Cephalic – head
 Femoral – thigh
 Gluteal – buttock
 Lumbar – area of back between ribs and hips
 Occipital – posterior surface of the head or base of skull
 Olecranal – posterior surface of elbow
 Popliteal – posterior knee area
 Sacral – area between hips
 Scapular – shoulder blade region
 Sural – posterior surface of lef, calf
 Vertebral – area of spinal column
2.4 Body planes and sections
 Sagittal – is a cut along the lengthwise or longitudinal
plane of the body, dividing the body into right and left
parts. If the cut is down the median plane of the body
and the right and left parts are equal in size, it is called
a median / midsagittal section.
 Frontal / coronal section – is a cut along a lengthwise
plane that divides the body or an organ into anterior or
posterior parts.
 Transverse / cross section – is a cut along a horizontal
plane, dividing the body or organ into superior or
inferior parts.

3. Locate the major body cavities and list the chief organs in each
cavity.

3.1. Dorsal body cavity

- has two subdivisions, which are continuous with each
other.
3.1.1. Cranial cavity – is the space inside the bony
skull. (Brain)
3.1.2. Spinal cavity - extends from the cranial cavity
nearly to the end of the vertebral column.
(Spinal cord)
3.2. Ventral body cavity
- is much larger than the dorsal cavity. It contains all the
structures within the chest and abdomen, that is the
visceral organs in those regions. Has also subdivision:
3.2.1 Thoracic cavity – is separated from the rest of
the ventral cavity by a dome-shaped muscle,
the diaphragm. (Lungs, heart). Mediastinum
separates the lungs into left and right cavities.
3.2.2. Abdominopelvic cavity – the cavity inferior to
the diaphragm.
3.2.2.1. Abdominal cavity – containing
stomach, liver, intestines, and other
organs
3.2.2.2. Pelvic cavity – containing
reproductive organs, bladder and
rectum.

3.3. Other body cavities:

 Oral and digestive cavities – commonly called the
mouth, contains the teeth and tongue. This cavity is
part of and continuous with the cavity of the
digestive organs, which opens to the exterior at the
anus.
 Nasal cavity – located within and posterior to the
nose, the nasal cavity is part of the respiratory
system passageways.
 Orbital cavities – the orbital cavities in the skull house
the eyes and present them in an anterior position.
 Middle ear cavities – the middle ear cavities carved
into the skull lie just medial to the eardrums. These
cavities contain tiny bones that transmit sound
vibrations to the hearing receptors in the inner ears.