Lab 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy & Anatomical Terminology
Lab 1: Introduction to Human Anatomy & Anatomical Terminology
Learning Objectives
When you are prepared for the Test on Week 1 Learning Objectives in Week 2, you will be able to:
- Describe the anatomical position and explain why we use it.
- Apply directional terminology to the human body.
- Accurately include Left (L) and Right (R) for all anatomical structures when appropriate.
- Identify anatomical regions of the body.
- Differentiate between the three major planes of the body and be able to identify sections from each.
- Identify the major body cavities and serous membranes.
- Identify the abdominopelvic regions in humans.
Welcome to the lab for Fundamentals of Human Anatomy! The lecture and lab courses together will provide an introduction to the human body using a systemic anatomy approach. In systemic anatomy, we will look at how the body is organized, going from cells to tissues to organs to organ systems. The human body is an amazing structure, performing many complex functions simultaneously that keep us alive through the actions of the organ systems working individually and together. We will look at each organ system, focusing on the structure and location of cells, tissues, and organs within that system and how those components allow the organ system to perform necessary functions in the body.
Before we start learning about structures in the body, we need to be able to accurately use the language of anatomy. Using anatomical terminology allows us to be precise and share a common frame of reference when describing the location of structures in the body.
Introduction
Anatomy focuses on structure and physiology focuses on function. Much of the study of physiology centers on the body’s tendency toward homeostasis, which is the state of maintaining equlibrium within our internal environment.
Consider the structures of the body in terms of fundamental levels of organization that increase in complexity: subatomic particles, atoms, molecules, organelles, cells, tissues, organs, and organ systems, which are all within an organism (Figure 1.1).
The Levels of Organization
All matter in the universe is composed of one or more unique pure substances called elements, such as hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, calcium, and iron.
- The smallest unit of any of these pure substances (elements) is an atom.
- Atoms are made up of subatomic particles such as the proton, electron, and neutron.
- Two or more atoms combine to form a molecule, such as the water molecules, proteins, and sugars found in living things.
- Molecules are the chemical building blocks of all body structures.
- A cell is the smallest independently functioning unit of a living organism.
- Even bacteria, which are extremely small, independently-living organisms, have a cellular structure. Each bacterium is a single cell. All living structures of human anatomy contain cells, and almost all functions of human physiology are performed in cells or are initiated by cells
- A human cell typ