An Introduction to the Body and Anatomical Terms

Question 1

Differentiate Between Anatomy and Physiology.

Answer 1

*Anatomy: Study of the structure of an organism and its relationship to its parts
*Anatomists learn about the body by dissection

*Physiology: Study of the functions of living organisms and their parts
*Physiologists use scientific experimentation

Question 2

What is the correct order of organization from simple to complex?

Answer 2

1. Chemical level: Atoms and molecules
2. Cells: Smallest “living” units of structure and function in our body
3. Tissues: Organizations of many cells that act together to perform a common function
4. Organs: Group of several different kinds of tissues arranged in a way that allows them to act as a unit to perform a particular function
5. Systems: Organization of varying numbers and kinds of organs that can work together to perform complex functions for the body

Question 3

Which of the following positions describes the reference position for all body directional terms?

Answer 3

Anatomical Position
* The way the body moves, its posture, or the relationship of one area to another
* the body is in an erect, or standing, posture with the arms at the sides and palms turned forward.
* The body has bilateral symmetry —that is, the left and right sides of the body roughly mirror each other.

Question 4

Differentiate between the terms SUPINE & PRONE

Answer 4

• Supine and prone are terms used to describe the body’s position when it is NOT in its anatomical position.
• In the supine position, the body is lying face upward, and in the prone position, the body is lying face downward.

Question 5

SUPERIOR

Answer 5

Describes a position above or higher than another part of the body

Question 6

INFERIOR

Answer 6

Describes a position below or lower than another part of the body proper; near or toward the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or lowest part of the spinal column)

Question 7

MEDIAL

Answer 7

Describes the middle or direction toward the middle of the body.

Question 8

LATERAL

Answer 8

Describes the side or direction toward the side of the body.

Question 9

PROXIMAL

Answer 9

Describes a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body.

Question 10

DISTAL

Answer 10

Describes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or the body’s trunk.

Question 11

Internal

Answer 11

Situated or occurring within or on the inside, as in a hollow structure

Question 12

External

Answer 12

Situated or occurring on the outside.

Question 13

DEEP

Answer 13

Describes a position farther from the surface of the body.

Question 14

SUPERFICIAL

Answer 14

Describes a position closer to the surface of the body.

Question 15

Palmar

Answer 15

Describes positioning located in or on the palm of the hand.

Question 16

SAGITTAL/MIDSAGITTAL PLANE

Answer 16

• Lengthwise plane that divides the body into right and left sections.
• Sagittal plane that divides the body into two halves

Question 17

Plantar

Answer 17

Describes the position relating to the sole of the foot.

Question 18

FRONTAL (coronal) PLANE

Answer 18

Lengthwise plane that divides a structure into anterior and posterior portions

Question 19

TRANSVERSE PLANE

Answer 19

Horizontal plane that divides a structure into upper and lower parts

Question 20

Dorsal Cavities

Answer 20

1. Cranial cavity: Space inside the skull that contains the brain
2. Spinal cavity: The space inside the spinal column

The cranial and spinal cavities are called dorsal cavities because they develop along the posterior aspect of the body.

Question 21

Ventral Cavities

Answer 21

THORACIC
* Mediastinum: Within this region is located the pericardial cavity with the heart
* Pleural: The lateral subdivisions of the thoracic cavity are called the right and left pleural cavities, each with one of the lungs

ABDOMINOPELVIC
* Abdominal

• Pelvic

Question 22

Abdominopelvic Quadrants

Answer 22

Health professionals frequently use this method of subdividing. It helps locate the origin of pain or describe the location of a tumor or other potentially harmful variation.

Question 23

Abdominopelvic Regions

Answer 23

Upper: Right and left hypochondriac regions and the epigastric region

Middle: Right and left lumbar regions and the umbilical region

Lower: Right and left iliac regions and the hypogastric region

Question 24

Axial and Appendicular Divisions

Answer 24

Axial region: Head, neck, and torso or trunk

Appendicular region: Upper and lower extremities

Body structure and function varies among individuals and throughout an individual’s lifespan

Question 25

The Balance of Body Functions

Answer 25

-Survival depends on the
body maintaining relatively
constant conditions. (Homeostasis)
-Body mechanisms act as
heaters, air pumps, and the
like, maintaining the
relatively constant
conditions of its internal fluid environment

Question 26

Feedback Control

Answer 26

Feedback loop: Body’s general control system
* Stimuli (disturbance)
* Sensor
* Integrator
* Effector

Question 27

Negative Feedback

Answer 27

Opposes change in controlled condition.
Most homeostatic control loops in the body involve negative feedback because reversing changes back toward a setpoint value tends to stabilize conditions-(HOMEOSTASIS)

EX. When we overheat in hot weather, temperature receptors detect the rise, and the brain signals sweat glands to increase output, cooling us through evaporation and restoring balance.

Question 28

Positive Feedback Loop

Answer 28

Positive feedback: Amplifies occurring change
causing an ever-increasing rate of events to occur until something stops the process

EX. the events that cause rapid increases in uterine contractions before the birth of a baby

Question 29

Normal Fluctuations

Answer 29

-It is essential to realize that healthy homeostatic control mechanisms can maintain only a relative constancy. All homeostatically controlled conditions in the body do not remain absolutely constant. Instead, conditions usually fluctuate near a typical, ideal value.

-Ability to maintain balance is related to age
* Developmental processes
* Aging processes