Study guide Chapter 1

Anatomy and Physiology Page 1 of 4 

Anatomy – study of the structure of living organisms 

Physiology – study of the function of living organisms 

Gross anatomy – macroscopic anatomy 

Microscopic anatomy 

Cytology – the study of cells 

Histology – the study of tissues 

Organs consist of two or more tissues organized for a particular function 

Organ systems 

For each organ system on pages 6 and 7, be able to write two or three examples of 

organs within that system 

Be able to write a brief description of the function of each organ system 

Integumentary – hair, skin, nails 

Protection from injury 

Dehydration 

Warmth (adipose tissue of the skin) 

Vitamin D 

Skeletal – bones and joints 

Support 

Makes movement possible 

Storing minerals 

Production of blood 

Muscular - skeletal muscles (cardiac and smooth muscles are included in 

circulatory and digestive) 

Movement – of body, of hands, of face 

Production of heat 

Nervous 

Brain, spinal cord 

Central and peripheral nervous systems 

Response to internal and external changes 

Endocrine 

Hypothalamus – master gland 

Pituitary – secretion of growth hormone and regulation of some other 

endocrine glands 

Pineal – daily cycles of temperature and alertness 

Thymus – immune function 

Thyroid – affects metabolic rate 

Pancreas – regulates blood glucose 

Adrenals – secretes hormones in response to stress 

Hormones are chemical messengers that affect behavior of other cells 

Cardiovascular 

Heart, arteries, veins 

Most of the cardiovascular system is for transport of oxygen, nutrients, 

wastes, and hormones 

Exchange of oxygen, nutrients, wastes occurs at the capillaries 

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Respiratory 

Exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the lungs 

Digestive 

GI tract – esophagus, stomach, pancreas, small and large intestines, 

Breaks down nutrients so they may be absorbed 

Removes indigestible matter in the feces 

Urinary 

Kidneys 

Ureters 

Bladder 

Urethra 

Removal of urea (nitrogenous wastes) 

Return of water, salts, and other substances to the bloodstream 

Secretion of hormones that affect hematocrit (red blood cell count) and 

blood pressure 

Lymphatic system 

Thymus, spleen, lymph vessels 

Returns fluids to the circulatory system 

Nodes and organs provide sites of immune activity 

Reproductive 

Mammary glands 

Vagina, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries 

Testes, penis, vas ductus or vas deferens, prostate 

Production of sex hormones and gametes 

Development of embryo 

Nourishment of newborn 

Homeostasis 

The state of equilibrium/stability of the body’s internal environment. The body 

normally maintains the internal environment within a range of values. For instance, pH is 

maintained between 7.35 and 7.45 and body temperature normally fluctuates by only a 

few degrees during the day. 

The hypothalamus detects body temperature that is too high or too low. 

If body temperature is too high, then the hypothalamus signals sweat glands to open and 

small blood vessels near the skin to dilate to bring body temperature back down. Once 

body temperature is back down, the hypothalamus stops sending a signal to sweat glands 

and small blood vessels near the skin. This is the negative feedback, a self-regulating 

process. If body temperature is too low, the hypothalamus sends a signal for small 

blood vessels to constrict and muscles begin to shiver. Once the body temperature is 

back to normal, desirable range, the signal from the hypothalamus ends. This is another 

example of negative feedback. 





Homeostasis of salt concentration 

If concentrations of salts are too high in the blood, the hypothalamus sends a signal 

through a hormone called ADH to the kidney tubules which begin to absorb more 

water back into the blood. Once the concentration of salts comes back into normal 

homeostatic range (the range of salt concentrations that your body tries to maintain), the 

signal from the hypothalamus stops. This is another example of negative feedback. The 

hypothalamus also generates the feeling of thirst. 

Positive feedback – a self-reinforcing process that is turned off by some external event 

Example – oxytocin and contractions of uterus – birth ends the process 

Formation of a blood clot – formation of the clot stops process of attracting more 

platelets 

Language of anatomy 

Major divisions of the body 

Axial, head, neck and torso 

Appendicular – arms and legs 

Anatomical position 

Anatomical position is a view of someone standing erect with arms slightly extended, 

palms facing forward, and feet slightly apart. 

Body planes and sections 

Midsagittal is a plane that divides the body into equal left and right sections 

Parasagittal is a plane that divides the body into unequal left and right 

sections. 

Transverse is a plane parallel to the floor (in anatomical position) that divides the body 

into upper and lower sections 

Frontal is a plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior sections. 

Oblique is a plane through the body that is not either horizontal or vertical. 

Orientation and directional terms are used to compare where one part of the body is 

compared to another 

Superior – toward the head 

Inferior – toward the feet 

Ventral – toward the anterior 

Dorsal – toward the posterior 

Lateral - toward the side 

Medial – toward the midline 

Proximal – toward the point of attachment of a limb 

Distal – away from the point of attachment of a limb (proximal and distal are usually 

used to refer to points along the arms or legs) 

Deep - toward the inner body 

Superficial – toward the skin 





Body cavities 

Dorsal body cavity 

Is a cavity formed by the meninges that encases the brain and spinal cord 

The spinal cord is an extension of the brain 

Ventral body cavity – contains the vital organs or viscera. The diaphragm divides the 

ventral body cavity into the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities. 

Thoracic cavity 

Pleura (cavities for the lungs) 

Mediastinum body cavity includes the trachea, the esophagus, and the 

pericardium which is the cavity around the heart 

Abdominopelvic cavity 

Examples of organs within the abdominal part of the abdominopelvic 

cavity are 

Liver 

Spleen 

Small and large intestine 

Examples of organs within the pelvic regions are 

bladder 

rectum 

uterus 

The abdominal and pelvic regions are continuous 

Body cavities and organs are lined by membranes called serosa or serous membranes. 

These are double-walled membranes. The wall that lines a body cavity is called parietal. 

The wall that lines an organ is called visceral. 

The space between the parietal and visceral walls is filled with serous fluid. This fluid 

lets organs, for instance the lungs and heart, move smoothly within the body. 

At the arteries (heart) or bronchi (lungs), the parietal layer turns inward and becomes the 

visceral layer. 

Infections of the serous fluid 

Infections can cause adhesions to the body cavity and pain. 

Infection of the peritoneum, the serous membrane around the abdominopelvic 

cavity is called peritonitis 

Infections of the pleura – pleurisy 

Infections of the pericardium (serous membranes around the heart) are called 

pericarditis. Severe pericarditis is called cardiac tamponade because the 

increase in fluid around the heart obstructs contractions of cardiac muscle.

Study guide Chapter 1

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