4: The Human Body

Cognitive Objectives
1-4.1 Identify and locate on the body the following
topographic terms: medial, lateral, proximal, distal,
superior, inferior, anterior, posterior, midline, right
and left, midclavicular, bilateral, and midaxillary.

1-4.2 Describe anatomy and functions of the following

major body systems: respiratory, circulatory,
musculoskeletal, nervous, and endocrine.

• There are no affective or psychomotor objectives for

this chapter.
 The Planes of the Body
• Anterior

• Posterior

• Midline

• Midclavicular line

• Midaxillary
 Directional Terms
• Right and left
• Superior and inferior
• Lateral and medial
• Proximal and distal
• Superficial and deep
• Ventral and dorsal
• Palmer and planter
• Apices and bilateral
Movement Terms
 Anatomic Positions (1 of 2)
• Prone

• Supine
 Anatomic Positions (2 of 2)
• Shock position

• Trendelenburg’s position

• Fowler’s position
 The Skeletal System
• Gives form to the body
• Protects vital organs
• Consists of 206 bones
• Acts as a framework for attachment of muscles
• Designed to permit motion of the body
The Skull
The Neck
The Spinal Column
The Thorax
 The Abdomen (1 of 2)
• The abdomen is the
second major body
cavity.

• It contains the major

organs of digestion
and excretion.
The Abdomen (2 of 2)
The Pelvis
The Lower Extremity
• Hip
• Thigh
• Knee
• Leg
• Ankle
• Foot
The Upper Extremity
• Shoulder girdle
• Arm
• Elbow
• Forearm
• Wrist
• Hand
Joints
 Functions of the
Musculoskeletal System
• Gives the body shape
• Protects internal organs
• Provides for movement
• Consists of more than 600
muscles
 Types of Muscle (1 of 2)
• Skeletal (voluntary) muscle

– Attached to the bones of the body

• Smooth (involuntary) muscle

– Carries out the automatic muscular functions of

the body
 Types of Muscle (2 of 2)
• Cardiac muscle
– Involuntary muscle
– Has own blood supply and electrical system
– Can tolerate interruptions of blood supply for
only very short periods
The Respiratory System
 Diaphragm
• Has characteristics of both voluntary and
involuntary muscles
• Dome-shaped muscle
• Divides thorax from abdomen
• Contracts during inhalation
• Relaxes during exhalation
Breathing Process: Inhalation
• Diaphragm and intercostal muscles
contract, increasing the size of the thoracic
cavity.

• Pressure in the lungs decreases.

• Air travels to the lungs.

Breathing Process: Exhalation
• Diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax.
• As the muscles relax, all dimensions of the
thorax decrease.
• Pressure in the lungs increases.
• Air flows out of the lungs.
 Exchange of Oxygen and
Carbon Dioxide
• Oxygen-rich air is delivered to alveoli with inspiration.
• Oxygen diffuses into the blood.
• The body does not use all the inhaled oxygen.
 Control of Breathing
• Brain stem controls breathing.
– Increases breathing rate if the carbon dioxide
level in blood becomes too high
• Hypoxic drive is a “backup system.”
– Activates when oxygen levels fall to stimulate
breathing
Normal Breathing Characteristics
• Normal rate and depth
• Regular rhythm
• Good breath sounds in both lungs
• Regular rise and fall movements in the
chest
• Easy, not labored
 Normal Breathing Rates
Adults 12 to 20 breaths/min

Children 15 to 30 breaths/min

Infants 25 to 50 breaths/min
Recognizing Inadequate Breathing
• Irregular rhythm • Pale or blue skin
• Labored breathing • Cool, clammy skin
• Muscle retractions • Faster respiratory rate
 Infant and Child Anatomy
• Structures less rigid
• Airway smaller
• Tongue proportionally
larger
• Dependent on diaphragm
for breathing
The Circulatory System
The Heart
Blood Flow Through the Heart
 Electrical Conduction System
• SA node
• AV node
• Purkinje fibers
 Normal Heart Rates
Adults 60 to 100 beats/min
Children 70 to 150 beats/min
Infants 100 to 160 beats/min
 Major Arteries and Veins
• Aorta • Radial
• Pulmonary • Superior vena cava
• Carotid • Inferior vena cava
• Femoral • Pulmonary
• Brachial
Components of Blood
• Plasma
• Red blood cells
• White blood cells
• Platelets
 Physiology of the
Circulatory System (1 of 2)
• Pulse
– The wave of blood through the arteries
formed when the left ventricle contracts
– Can be felt where an artery passes near
the skin surface and over a bone
 Physiology of the
Circulatory System (2 of 2)
• Blood pressure
– Amount of force exerted against walls of arteries
– Systole: Left ventricle contracts
– Diastole: Left ventricle relaxes
• Perfusion
– Circulation of blood within an organ or tissue
– If inadequate, the patient goes into shock.
 The Nervous System
• The nervous system controls the body’s voluntary
and involuntary actions.
• Somatic nervous system
– Regulates voluntary actions
• Autonomic nervous system
– Controls involuntary body functions
Central Nervous System (1 of 2)
Central Nervous System (2 of 2)
 Peripheral Nervous System
• Links the organs of the body to the central nervous
system.
• Sensory nerves carry information from the body to
the central nervous system.
• Motor nerves carry information from the central
nervous system to the muscles of the body.
 The Skin (1 of 2)
• Protects the body from the environment

• Regulates body temperature

• Transmits information from environment to

the brain
The Skin (2 of 2)
 Endocrine System
• Complex message and control system

• Made up of seven glands

• Glands produce and release hormones.

 Endocrine Glands
• Adrenal • Pituitary

• Ovary • Testes

• Pancreas • Thyroid

• Parathyroid
 Digestive System
• Mouth • Liver
• Salivary glands • Bile ducts
• Oropharynx • Small intestine
• Esophagus • Large intestine
• Stomach • Appendix
• Pancreas • Rectum
Urinary System
Male Reproductive System
Female Reproductive System