, NOVA Anatomy
Introduction to Anatomy and
Physiology
1. Levels of structural organization
atoms → molecules → cells → tissues → organs → organ systems → organism
microscopic water,NaCl, the a group of cells formed formed from organs the highest
particles of proteins, fundamental with a similar from 2 or with complementary degree of
matter carbohydrates, unit of living structure that more types
perform a of tissue functions
lipids, etc. organisms organization
certain function
2. Organ systems
a. Digestive – role: role: digestion of food and absorption of nutrients from
ingested food
-components: teeth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach,
intestines, liver, pancreas, etc.
b. Respiratory – role: role: collects oxygen, removes carbon dioxide
-components: lungs, pharynx, trachea, and other airways
c. Circulatory – role: role: transports cells and substances throughout the
body
-components: heart, blood vessels, blood, lymphatic
structures
d. Immune – role: interacts with foreign agents
-components: B and T lymphocytes, lymphatic structures
e. Nervous – role: receives stimuli, integrates information, and coordinates
body functions
-components: brain, spinal cord, sense organs, etc.
f. Skeletal – role: protects and provides support for locomotion and
movement
-components: bones, cartilage, joints
g. Muscular – role: carries out movement of the body
-components: smooth muscle, striated muscle, cardiac muscle
h. Integumentary – role: covers and protects the body
-components: skin, hair, nails, sweat glands
i. Endocrine – role: chemically coordinates and integrates body activities
-components: pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands, etc.
j. Urinary – role: removes metabolic waste from the blood
-components: kidneys, urinary bladder, urinary tract
k. Reproductive – role: produces the sex cells needed for procreation
-components: ovaries, testes, etc.
1.
, NOVA Anatomy
3. Directional terms
1. anterior = toward the front / ventral
2. posterior = toward the back / dorsal
3. superior = upward, toward the head / cephalic, cranial
4. inferior = downward, away from the head
5. medial = closer to the midline of the body
6. ipsilateral = structures located on the same side of the body
7. contralateral = structures located on different (opposite) sides of the body
8. proximal = refers to a point oriented toward the point of attachment of a limb to the
trunk
9. distal = a point located farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk
10. superficial = a position located closer to the surface of the body
11. deep = a position farther from the surface of the body
4. Main body planes
a. Sagittal plane – divides the body into right and left halves
– midsagittal – divides the body into two equal parts
– parasagittal – divides the body into unequal parts
b. Frontal (coronal) plane – runs vertically, like the sagittal plane, but divides the body
into an anterior half and a posterior half
c. Transverse (horizontal) plane – divides the body into an upper part and a lower part,
producing cross-sections
Sagittal plane
my
Frontal plane
ato
An
Transverse plane
va
No
2.
Introduction to Anatomy and
Physiology
1. Levels of structural organization
atoms → molecules → cells → tissues → organs → organ systems → organism
microscopic water,NaCl, the a group of cells formed formed from organs the highest
particles of proteins, fundamental with a similar from 2 or with complementary degree of
matter carbohydrates, unit of living structure that more types
perform a of tissue functions
lipids, etc. organisms organization
certain function
2. Organ systems
a. Digestive – role: role: digestion of food and absorption of nutrients from
ingested food
-components: teeth, salivary glands, esophagus, stomach,
intestines, liver, pancreas, etc.
b. Respiratory – role: role: collects oxygen, removes carbon dioxide
-components: lungs, pharynx, trachea, and other airways
c. Circulatory – role: role: transports cells and substances throughout the
body
-components: heart, blood vessels, blood, lymphatic
structures
d. Immune – role: interacts with foreign agents
-components: B and T lymphocytes, lymphatic structures
e. Nervous – role: receives stimuli, integrates information, and coordinates
body functions
-components: brain, spinal cord, sense organs, etc.
f. Skeletal – role: protects and provides support for locomotion and
movement
-components: bones, cartilage, joints
g. Muscular – role: carries out movement of the body
-components: smooth muscle, striated muscle, cardiac muscle
h. Integumentary – role: covers and protects the body
-components: skin, hair, nails, sweat glands
i. Endocrine – role: chemically coordinates and integrates body activities
-components: pituitary gland, thyroid, adrenal glands, etc.
j. Urinary – role: removes metabolic waste from the blood
-components: kidneys, urinary bladder, urinary tract
k. Reproductive – role: produces the sex cells needed for procreation
-components: ovaries, testes, etc.
1.
, NOVA Anatomy
3. Directional terms
1. anterior = toward the front / ventral
2. posterior = toward the back / dorsal
3. superior = upward, toward the head / cephalic, cranial
4. inferior = downward, away from the head
5. medial = closer to the midline of the body
6. ipsilateral = structures located on the same side of the body
7. contralateral = structures located on different (opposite) sides of the body
8. proximal = refers to a point oriented toward the point of attachment of a limb to the
trunk
9. distal = a point located farther from the point of attachment of a limb to the trunk
10. superficial = a position located closer to the surface of the body
11. deep = a position farther from the surface of the body
4. Main body planes
a. Sagittal plane – divides the body into right and left halves
– midsagittal – divides the body into two equal parts
– parasagittal – divides the body into unequal parts
b. Frontal (coronal) plane – runs vertically, like the sagittal plane, but divides the body
into an anterior half and a posterior half
c. Transverse (horizontal) plane – divides the body into an upper part and a lower part,
producing cross-sections
Sagittal plane
my
Frontal plane
ato
An
Transverse plane
va
No
2.
