Questionsyoushouldbeabletoanswerafterlecture.

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 structure and shape of the body and its parts. Physiology is the
study of the body, its parts, and their functions. You cannot completely understand
anatomy without also knowing physiology; for example, it would be hard to understand
how the heart pumps blood without first knowing about the valves, atriums and ventricles
which help it to do so.
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.
Atom atoms combine to form molecules (ex: Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen)
Molecules molecules combine to form macromolecules (ex: CO2, H2O)
Macromolecules combine to form organelles (ex: lipids, carbohydrates, proteins)
Organelles organelles collectively compose into cells (ex: nucleus, cell membrane)
Cells similar cells group into tissues (ex: brain cell, skin cell, muscle cell)
Tissue multiple tissues make up an organ (ex: muscles, connective tissue)
Organ two or more organs form an organ system (ex: brain, heart, stomach)
Organ system the 11 organ systems make up the human body (ex: respiratory, digestive)
Organism the most complex level. (ex: human)
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 (skin) forms external covering, protects from injuries and
synthesizes vitamin D.
2. Skeletal (bones, cartilage and joints) protects organs, supports the body, muscles
attachment, mineral storage and blood cell formation.
3. Muscular (skeletal muscles) allows movement, produces heat and maintains
posture along with the skeletal system.
4. Nervous (nerves, brain, sensory receptor and spinal cord) control system that
responds to any changes and activates muscles and glands.
5. Endocrine (glands) releases hormones, responsible for growth, reproduction and
metabolism.
6. Cardiovascular (heart and blood vessels) transports oxygen, carbon dioxide,
nutrients and wastes via blood pumped by the heart.
7. Lymphatic (Lymph nodes, thoracic duct and lymphatic vessels) involved in
immunity, returns fluid to blood vessels and disposes of debris.
8. Respiratory (nasal cavity, trachea and lungs) keeps blood supplied with oxygen
while releasing carbon dioxide from the body.
9. Digestive (oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, rectum and
anus) breaks down food, allows nutrient absorption and eliminates indigestible
material)
10. Urinary (Kidney, Ureter, Urinary bladder and Urethra) eliminates nitrogenous
waste, regulation of water and electrolytes, maintains acid-base balance.
11. Reproductive (women: mammary glands, ovaries, uterus, uterine tube and vagina.

Questionsyoushouldbeabletoanswerafterlecture.
Men: seminal vesicles, prostate gland, Vas deferens, testis, scrotum and penis) all for
the reproduction of offspring.
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6.

Name the six life processes that distinguish living from non-living things.
Movement
Responsiveness
Metabolism
Reproduction
Growth
Differentiation

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5.

Specify the five environmental needs required for life.

Nutrients for energy
Oxygen - cellular respiration and chemical reactions
Water metabolic reactions, lubrication etc
Stable body temperature enzyme action
Appropriate atmospheric pressure for breathing and filtering blood through
kidneys

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 an example
that you find.
Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment. Negative feedback
regulates homeostasis mechanisms like temperature by sweating, shivering and changing of
breathing and heart rate.
7.
Demonstrate what is meant by "anatomical position".
Correct anatomical position is when a person is standing erect with their feet slightly apart
and arms to the side and palms facing forward.
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 part above another (closer to the head) the shoulder is superior to the wrist
Inferior part below another (toward the feet) the knee is inferior to the pelvis
Proximal closer to the point of attachment the knee is proximal to the ankle
Distal further away from attachment the wrist is distal to the elbow
Anterior (ventral) toward the front the heart is anterior to the spine
Posterior (dorsal) toward the back the spine is posterior to the lungs
Superficial situated near the surface the skeletal muscles are superficial to the skeletal
system
Deep parts more internal than superficial the heart is deep to the rib cage
Medial imaginary line dividing the body into right and left halves the heart is medial to the
lungs
Lateral toward the side (in respect to the medial line) the arms are lateral to the chest.
9.

List both anterior and posterior anatomical landmarks (i.e. orbital, inguinal, etc.).

Questionsyoushouldbeabletoanswerafterlecture.
Anterior Landmarks: Orbital, nasal, oral, buccal, cervical, acromial, sternal, axillary,
thoracic, brachial, antecubital, carpal, digital, abdominal, umbilical, pelvic, coxal,
inguinal, pubic, femoral, patellar, fibular, crural and tarsal.
Posterior Landmarks: Cephalic, occipital, deltoid, scapular, vertebral, lumbar, sacral,
gluteal, femoral, popliteal and sural.
10.

Name the three major body sections (planes, cuts), and describe how each would be
accomplished.
Median (midsagittal) bisects the body vertically through the naval to create equal right
and left halves.
Frontal Plane (coronal) vertical plane that divides the body into ventral and dorsal
(anterior and posterior) sections.
Transverse Plane horizontal plane cut at the naval that divides the body into superior and
inferior sections.
12. Designate the five major human body cavities and name the organs within each on a
human diagram.
Cranial Brain
Spinal Spinal cord protected by vertebrae
Thoracic Lungs and the heart
Abdominal Stomach and intestines
Pelvic lower part of the intestines and reproductive organs
13. Describe the anatomical importance of the diaphragm muscle and make sure you can
spell it correctly!!!!
The diaphragm is anatomically important because it separates the thorax from the
abdomen. It is also one of the main muscles of respiration.
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.
1. Right hypochondriac region liver, gall bladder, right kidney and small intestine
2. Left hypochondriac region spleen, colon, left kidney, pancreas
3. Right lumbar region gall bladder, liver and right kidney
4. Left lumbar region descending colon and left kidney
5. Right iliac region appendix and cecum
6. Left iliac region descending colon and sigmoid colon
7. Epigastric region - stomach, liver, pancreas, duodenum, spleen, adrenal glands
8. Umbilical region umbilicus, jejunum, ileum and duodenum
9. Hypogastric region urinary bladder, sigmoid colon and female reproductive organs
1. Right upper quadrant (RUQ) liver, gall bladder, duodenum, upper pancreas and
hepatic flexure of the colon
2. Left upper quadrant (LUQ) stomach, spleen, left portion of the liver, main part of
the pancreas, adrenal gland, splenic flexure of the colon and left portion of the
kidney
3. Right lower quadrant (RLQ) appendix, upper colon, right ovary and fallopian

Questionsyoushouldbeabletoanswerafterlecture.
tube.
4. Left lower quadrant (LLQ) bottom portion of colon, sigmoid colon, left ovary and
fallopian tube and left uterine tube
14. Distinguish between visceral and parietal serous membranes, and differentiate between
pericardial, pleural, and peritoneal varieties.
Visceral serous membrane lies on the organ itself while the parietal serous membrane is on
the cavity wall separated from the visceral serous by serous fluid.
Pericardial the serosae that surrounds and protects the heart is called Pericardium
Pleural the serosae of the pleural cavities are called Pleura
Peritoneal Serosae of the abdominopelvic cavity are Peritoneum
15. Name the function of serous fluid.
Serous fluid is liquid secreted from the serous membranes and collects on microvilli on the
outer layer. This layer of liquid is a lubricant that reduces friction caused by muscle
movement.