Introduction to Human Anatomy & Physiology: Organization, Terminology, and Organ Systems

Course Overview and Structure

General Instructions

This course introduces the foundational concepts of human anatomy and physiology, focusing on the organization of the human body, anatomical terminology, and the major organ systems. Lectures and laboratory sessions are scheduled weekly, with specific requirements for attendance and attire in laboratory settings.

• Lectures: Weeks 1-7, Mondays

• Laboratory Sessions: Weeks 1-7, face-to-face except for e-learning in Week 5

• Venue: Health Science and Anatomy Laboratory

• Attire: Sportswear and sports shoes (for safety)

• Attendance: Mandatory, with medical certificate required for absences

Course Schedule

Week	Lecture Topic	Lab Session
1	Organization of the human body	Lab Activity
2	Skeletal System and joints	Lab Activity
3	Introduction to the skeletal muscle system	Lab Activity
4	Skeletal muscle system: upper extremities	Lab Activity
5	Skeletal muscle system: lower extremities (E-learning)	Lab Activity
6	Skeletal muscle system: trunk and spinal column	Lab Activity/Group Presentation
7	Revision: Weeks 1-6	Revision

Assessment

• Group Presentation (30%): Conducted during lab sessions, with details and rubrics provided during the course.

Intended Learning Outcomes

• Describe the organization of human body systems.

• Identify and label major structures of each organ system.

• List major functions of each organ system.

• Demonstrate and explain joint movements using anatomical terminology.

• Identify muscles involved in sport/exercise movements.

• Provide examples of sport/exercise movements and muscle contractions.

• Articulate the role of organ systems in human performance, health, and fitness.

Fundamental Concepts in Anatomy & Physiology

Anatomy

Anatomy is the study of the structures of the body, including what they are made of, where they are located, and their associated structures.

• Gross (macroscopic) anatomy: Large, visible structures

• Surface anatomy: Exterior features

• Regional anatomy: Body areas

• Sectional anatomy: Cross sections

• Systemic anatomy: Organ systems

• Clinical anatomy: Medical specialties

• Developmental anatomy: From conception to adulthood (includes embryology)

• Microscopic anatomy: Cells and molecules (cytology and histology)

Physiology

Physiology is the study of the functions of anatomical structures, both individual and cooperative.

• Cell physiology: Functions of cells

• Organ physiology: Functions of specific organs

• Systemic physiology: Functions of organ systems

• Pathological physiology: Effects of diseases on organs or systems

Levels of Organization in the Human Body

Chemical Level

• Atoms: Smallest stable units of matter

• Molecules: Groups of atoms

Cellular Level

• Cells: Smallest living units in the body

Tissue Level

• Tissue: Group of cells working together

Organ Level

• Organ: Made of two or more tissues working together

Organ System Level

• Organ system: Group of interacting organs

• Humans have 11 organ systems

Organism Level

• Organism: An individual life form

Major Organ Systems and Their Functions

Overview Table

System	Main Organs	Primary Functions
Skeletal	Bones, cartilage, joints	Support, protection, movement, mineral storage, blood cell production
Muscular	Skeletal muscles, tendons	Movement, posture, heat production
Nervous	Brain, spinal cord, nerves	Control, communication, integration of body functions
Cardiovascular	Heart, blood vessels	Transport of nutrients, gases, wastes; blood pressure regulation
Respiratory	Lungs, airways	Gas exchange, pH regulation
Endocrine	Glands (pituitary, thyroid, etc.)	Hormone production, regulation of metabolism and growth
Digestive	Mouth, stomach, intestines	Breakdown and absorption of nutrients, waste elimination
Urinary	Kidneys, bladder	Waste excretion, water and electrolyte balance
Lymphatic	Lymph nodes, spleen	Immunity, fluid balance
Reproductive	Ovaries/testes, uterus/prostate	Production of offspring
Integumentary	Skin, hair, nails	Protection, temperature regulation

Anatomical Terminology

Surface Anatomy and Landmarks

• Surface anatomy: Locating structures on or near the body surface

• Anatomical landmarks: Structures that can be felt or palpated

• Understanding terms and their origins aids in recalling locations and names of structures

Anatomical Position

• Standard reference position: body standing upright, hands at sides, palms facing forward, feet together

• Supine: lying face up; Prone: lying face down

Anatomical Regions

• Quadrants: Four regions formed by perpendicular lines intersecting at the umbilicus (navel)

• Regions: Nine regions delineated by four lines for more precise localization

Directional Terms

Term	Definition	Example
Superior (cranial)	Toward the head or upper part of a structure	The head is superior to the abdomen
Inferior (caudal)	Away from the head or toward the lower part	The navel is inferior to the chin
Anterior (ventral)	Toward the front of the body	The breastbone is anterior to the spine
Posterior (dorsal)	Toward the back of the body	The heart is posterior to the breastbone
Medial	Toward the midline of the body	The heart is medial to the arm
Lateral	Away from the midline	The arms are lateral to the chest

Sectional Anatomy Planes

• Frontal (coronal) plane: Divides body into anterior and posterior portions

• Sagittal plane: Divides body into left and right portions (midsagittal = equal halves, parasagittal = unequal)

• Transverse plane: Divides body into superior and inferior portions

Body Cavities

Major Cavities of the Trunk

• Ventral body cavity (coelom): Subdivided by the diaphragm into thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities

• Thoracic cavity: Contains pleural cavities (lungs) and pericardial cavity (heart)

• Abdominopelvic cavity: Contains peritoneal cavity (abdominal organs), abdominal cavity (digestive organs), and pelvic cavity (reproductive organs, rectum, bladder)

Homeostasis

Definition and Importance

Homeostasis is the maintenance of a stable internal environment, essential for health and survival. Failure to maintain homeostasis leads to illness or disease.

Mechanisms of Regulation

• Autoregulation: Automatic response in a cell, tissue, or organ

• Extrinsic regulation: Responses controlled by nervous and endocrine systems

Feedback Loops

• Negative feedback: Counteracts changes to maintain stability (e.g., body temperature, water concentration)

• Positive feedback: Amplifies changes for rapid response (e.g., blood clotting)

Example Equation:

Set point regulation can be modeled as:

$\text{Response} = \text{Set Point} - \text{Current Value}$

Summary Table: Levels of Organization

Level	Description	Example
Chemical	Atoms and molecules	Water (H2O), proteins
Cellular	Cells	Muscle cell, neuron
Tissue	Groups of cells	Cardiac muscle tissue
Organ	Two or more tissues	Heart, stomach
Organ System	Group of organs	Cardiovascular system
Organism	Individual life form	Human

Additional info:

• These notes are based on the first week of a college-level Anatomy & Physiology course, covering introductory concepts, terminology, and the organization of the human body.

• Further weeks will cover the skeletal system, muscular system, and their relevance to sport and exercise.