Chapter 1: The Human Body
Form (anatomy) determines function (physiology)
Introduction
Anatomy studies the structure of body parts and their relationship to one
another
Physiology concerns the function of the body
Only explainable in terms of the underlying anatomy
Topics of anatomy
Anatomy is a broad field with many subdivisions including gross
(macroscopic) anatomy, which is the study of large visible body
structures. Gross anatomy can be approached in the following ways:
Regional anatomy is when all structures e.g. muscles, bones, etc. are
studied in a particular region like the leg
Systemic anatomy studies entire systems such as the cardiovascular
system that would include the heart and blood vessels of the entire body
Surface anatomy is the study of internal structures as they overlay the
skin surface
Like identifying some bodybuilders bulging muscles over skin
Microscopic anatomy deals with structures too small to be seen with the
naked eye and so they are looked at with a microscope
Cytology deals with cells of the body
Histology deals with study of tissues
Developmental anatomy traces structural changes that occur throughout
the life span
Embryology is a subdivision of developmental anatomy and concerns
developmental changes before birth
The body’s organization ranges from atoms to the entire organism
Levels of structural organization that make up the body
Chemical cellular tissue organ organ system organism
Requirements for life
Functional characteristics necessary for life:
Maintain boundaries
Every living organism must keep its internal environment separate from its
external environment
Skin is important in maintaining boundaries
Movement includes the activities promoted by the muscular system and
bones provide the framework
On the cellular level, the muscle cells ability to move by shortening is called
contractility
