Thibodeau and Patton: Structure & Function of the Body, 13th Edition
Instructor's Manual
Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Structure and Function of the Body
CHAPTER SYNOPSIS
In this chapter the student is introduced to the organizational composition of the body as
it relates to the different levels of complexity. Although the body is considered a singular
structure, it is made up of integrating atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and
systems, and remarkably, in most circumstances, is able to maintain homeostasis
necessary for survival.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES WITH RATIONALE
After completing this chapter the student will be able to:
1. Define the terms anatomy and physiology.
Anatomy is the study of the structure of an organism and the relationship of its
parts. Physiology is the study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.
2. List and discuss in order of increasing complexity the levels of organization of the
body.
Levels of organization of the body include (1) chemical level (atoms and
molecules), (2) cells (smallest “living” units), (3) tissues (groups of cells acting
together), (4) organs (groups of tissues acting together), and (5) systems (groups of
organs acting together).
3. Define the anatomical position.
In the anatomical position, the body is in an erect or standing posture with arms at
the sides and palms turned forward. The head and feet also point forward.
4. List and define the principal directional terms and sections (planes) used in describing
the body and the relationship of body parts to one another.
a. Directional terms
(1) Superior—toward the head, upper, above
Inferior—toward the feet, lower, below
(2) Anterior—front, in front of (same as ventral in humans)
Posterior—back, in back of (same as dorsal in humans)
(3) Medial—toward the midline of the body
Lateral—away from the midline or toward the side of the body
, (4) Proximal—toward or nearest the trunk of the body, or nearest the point of
origin of one of its parts
Distal—away from or farthest from the trunk of the body, or farthest from a
point of origin of one of its parts
(5) Superficial—nearer the body surface
Deep—farther away from the body surface
b. Body planes
(1) Sagittal—lengthwise plane running from front to back; divides the body or
any of its parts into right and left sides
(2) Midsagittal—sagittal plane that divides the body into two equal halves
(3) Frontal (coronal)—lengthwise plane that divides a structure into anterior and
posterior (front and back) sections
(4) Transverse—a transverse plane running from side to side that divides the body
or any of its parts into upper and lower portions
5. List the major cavities of the body and the subdivisions found in each.
a. Ventral body cavity
(1) Thoracic cavity
(a) Mediastinum
(b) Pleural cavities (right and left)
(2) Abdominopelvic cavity
(a) Abdominal cavity
(b) Pelvic cavity
b. Dorsal body cavity
(1) Cranial cavity
(2) Spinal cavity
6. List the nine abdominopelvic regions and the four abdominopelvic quadrants.
a. The nine abdominopelvic regions include (1) right hypochondriac, (2) epigastric,
(3) left hypochondriac, (4) right lumbar, (5) umbilical, (6) left lumbar, (7) right
iliac, (8) hypogastric, and (9) left iliac regions.
b. The four abdominopelvic quadrants include (1) right upper or superior, (2) right
lower or inferior,
(3) left upper or superior, and (4) left lower or inferior.
7. Discuss and contrast the axial and the appendicular subdivisions of the body. Identify
a number of specific anatomical regions in each area.
a. The axial portion of the body consists of the head, neck, and trunk. It is composed
, of thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic regions.
b. The appendicular portion of the body consists of the upper and lower extremities.
(1) Upper extremities are composed of arm, forearm, wrist, and hand regions.
(2) Lower extremities are composed of thigh, leg, ankle, and foot regions.
8. Explain the meaning of the term homeostasis and give an example of a typical
homeostatic mechanism.
a. Homeostasis is relative constancy of the internal environment. It requires that
chemical composition, volume, and other characteristics of blood and other body
fluids remain constant within a narrow limit.
b. Example: Constant circulation of blood in the body allows for continuous removal
of carbon dioxide produced by body cells.
LECTURE OUTLINE INSTRUCTOR'S NOTES
I. STRUCTURAL
LEVELS OF
ORGANIZATION
(Figure 1-1)
A. Organization is an
outstanding
characteristic of
body structure
B. The body is a unit
constructed of the
following smaller
units:
1. Cells—the
smallest
structural units;
organizations of
various
chemicals
2. Tissues—
organizations of
similar cells
3. Organs—
, organizations of
different kinds of
tissues
4. Systems—
organizations of
many different
kinds of organs
II. ANATOMICAL
POSITION (Figure 1-2)
—Standing erect with
the arms at the sides and
palms turned forward
III. ANATOMICAL
DIRECTIONS
A. Superior—toward
the head, upper,
above
Inferior—toward the
feet, lower, below
B. Anterior—front, in
front of (same as
ventral in humans)
Posterior—back, in
back of (same as
dorsal in humans)
C. Medial—toward the
midline of a
structure Lateral—
away from the
midline or toward
the side of a
structure
D. Proximal—toward
or nearest the trunk,
or nearest the point
of origin of a
structure
Instructor's Manual
Chapter 1: An Introduction to the Structure and Function of the Body
CHAPTER SYNOPSIS
In this chapter the student is introduced to the organizational composition of the body as
it relates to the different levels of complexity. Although the body is considered a singular
structure, it is made up of integrating atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, and
systems, and remarkably, in most circumstances, is able to maintain homeostasis
necessary for survival.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES WITH RATIONALE
After completing this chapter the student will be able to:
1. Define the terms anatomy and physiology.
Anatomy is the study of the structure of an organism and the relationship of its
parts. Physiology is the study of the functions of living organisms and their parts.
2. List and discuss in order of increasing complexity the levels of organization of the
body.
Levels of organization of the body include (1) chemical level (atoms and
molecules), (2) cells (smallest “living” units), (3) tissues (groups of cells acting
together), (4) organs (groups of tissues acting together), and (5) systems (groups of
organs acting together).
3. Define the anatomical position.
In the anatomical position, the body is in an erect or standing posture with arms at
the sides and palms turned forward. The head and feet also point forward.
4. List and define the principal directional terms and sections (planes) used in describing
the body and the relationship of body parts to one another.
a. Directional terms
(1) Superior—toward the head, upper, above
Inferior—toward the feet, lower, below
(2) Anterior—front, in front of (same as ventral in humans)
Posterior—back, in back of (same as dorsal in humans)
(3) Medial—toward the midline of the body
Lateral—away from the midline or toward the side of the body
, (4) Proximal—toward or nearest the trunk of the body, or nearest the point of
origin of one of its parts
Distal—away from or farthest from the trunk of the body, or farthest from a
point of origin of one of its parts
(5) Superficial—nearer the body surface
Deep—farther away from the body surface
b. Body planes
(1) Sagittal—lengthwise plane running from front to back; divides the body or
any of its parts into right and left sides
(2) Midsagittal—sagittal plane that divides the body into two equal halves
(3) Frontal (coronal)—lengthwise plane that divides a structure into anterior and
posterior (front and back) sections
(4) Transverse—a transverse plane running from side to side that divides the body
or any of its parts into upper and lower portions
5. List the major cavities of the body and the subdivisions found in each.
a. Ventral body cavity
(1) Thoracic cavity
(a) Mediastinum
(b) Pleural cavities (right and left)
(2) Abdominopelvic cavity
(a) Abdominal cavity
(b) Pelvic cavity
b. Dorsal body cavity
(1) Cranial cavity
(2) Spinal cavity
6. List the nine abdominopelvic regions and the four abdominopelvic quadrants.
a. The nine abdominopelvic regions include (1) right hypochondriac, (2) epigastric,
(3) left hypochondriac, (4) right lumbar, (5) umbilical, (6) left lumbar, (7) right
iliac, (8) hypogastric, and (9) left iliac regions.
b. The four abdominopelvic quadrants include (1) right upper or superior, (2) right
lower or inferior,
(3) left upper or superior, and (4) left lower or inferior.
7. Discuss and contrast the axial and the appendicular subdivisions of the body. Identify
a number of specific anatomical regions in each area.
a. The axial portion of the body consists of the head, neck, and trunk. It is composed
, of thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic regions.
b. The appendicular portion of the body consists of the upper and lower extremities.
(1) Upper extremities are composed of arm, forearm, wrist, and hand regions.
(2) Lower extremities are composed of thigh, leg, ankle, and foot regions.
8. Explain the meaning of the term homeostasis and give an example of a typical
homeostatic mechanism.
a. Homeostasis is relative constancy of the internal environment. It requires that
chemical composition, volume, and other characteristics of blood and other body
fluids remain constant within a narrow limit.
b. Example: Constant circulation of blood in the body allows for continuous removal
of carbon dioxide produced by body cells.
LECTURE OUTLINE INSTRUCTOR'S NOTES
I. STRUCTURAL
LEVELS OF
ORGANIZATION
(Figure 1-1)
A. Organization is an
outstanding
characteristic of
body structure
B. The body is a unit
constructed of the
following smaller
units:
1. Cells—the
smallest
structural units;
organizations of
various
chemicals
2. Tissues—
organizations of
similar cells
3. Organs—
, organizations of
different kinds of
tissues
4. Systems—
organizations of
many different
kinds of organs
II. ANATOMICAL
POSITION (Figure 1-2)
—Standing erect with
the arms at the sides and
palms turned forward
III. ANATOMICAL
DIRECTIONS
A. Superior—toward
the head, upper,
above
Inferior—toward the
feet, lower, below
B. Anterior—front, in
front of (same as
ventral in humans)
Posterior—back, in
back of (same as
dorsal in humans)
C. Medial—toward the
midline of a
structure Lateral—
away from the
midline or toward
the side of a
structure
D. Proximal—toward
or nearest the trunk,
or nearest the point
of origin of a
structure
