1. Overview of Anatomy and Physiology
Anatomy – the study of the structure of body parts and their relationships to one another
Gross or macroscopic – large visible body structures (heart, lungs, kidney etc.)
Different ways to approach gross anatomy:
Regional – study of all the structure in a particular region of the body (leg, abdomen etc.)
Systemic – study a particular system at a time.
Microscopic – deals with structures that are too small to be seen with the naked eye
Cytology – relates to the cells
Histology – study of the tissues
Physiology – the study of the function of the body’s

2. thumbs point away from body
Anatomical Position
Body erect
feet slightly apart
palms facing forward
thumbs point away from body
Figure 1.7a

3. Directional Terms
Table 1.1a

4. Directional Terms
Table 1.1b

5. Body Planes Sagittal – divides the body into right and left parts
Midsagittal or medial – sagittal plane that lies on the midline
Frontal or coronal – divides the body into anterior and posterior parts
Transverse or horizontal (cross section) – divides the body into superior and inferior parts
Oblique section – cuts made diagonally

6. Body Cavities
Dorsal cavity protects the nervous system, and is divided into two subdivisions
Cranial cavity – within the skull; encases the brain
Vertebral cavity – runs within the vertebral column; encases the spinal cord
Ventral cavity houses the internal organs (viscera), and is divided into two subdivisions
Thoracic
Abdominopelvic

7. Body Cavities Cranial cavity (contains brain) Thoracic Dorsal cavity
heart
and lungs)
Ventral
body cavity
(thoracic
and
abdomino-
pelvic
cavities)
Diaphragm
Vertebral cavity
(contains spinal
cord)
Abdominal cavity
(contains digestive
viscera)
Key:
Dorsal body cavity
Pelvic cavity
(contains bladder,
reproductive organs,
and rectum)
Ventral body cavity
(a) Lateral view
Figure 1.9a

8. Body Cavities – thoracic cavity
Thoracic cavity is subdivided into two pleural cavities, the mediastinum, and the pericardial cavity
Pleural cavities – each houses a lung
Mediastinum – contains the pericardial cavity; surrounds the remaining thoracic organs
Pericardial cavity – encloses the heart

9. Body Cavities Cranial Vertebral Superior mediastinum Thoracic
Pleural
cavity
Cranial
Vertebral
Pericardial
cavity within
the mediastinum
Thoracic
(contains
heart
and lungs)
Key:
Dorsal body cavity
Ventral body cavity
(b) Anterior view
Figure 1.9b

10. Body Cavities – abdominopelvic cavity
The abdominopelvic cavity is separated from the superior thoracic cavity by the dome-shaped diaphragm
It is composed of two subdivisions
Abdominal cavity – contains the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and other organs
Pelvic cavity – lies within the pelvis and contains the bladder, reproductive organs, and rectum

11. Body Cavities Cranial cavity Vertebral cavity Diaphragm
Abdominal cavity
(contains digestive
viscera)
Abdomino-
pelvic
cavity
Pelvic cavity
(contains bladder,
reproductive organs,
and rectum)
Key:
Dorsal body cavity
Ventral body cavity
(b) Anterior view
Figure 1.9b

12. Other Body Cavities
Oral and digestive – mouth and cavities of the digestive organs
Nasal –located within and posterior to the nose
Orbital – house the eyes
Middle ear – contains bones (ossicles) that transmit sound vibrations
Synovial – joint cavities

13. Organs of the Abdominopelvic Regions
Figure 1.11b

14. Abdominopelvic Quadrants
Right upper
Left upper
Right lower
Left lower
Figure 1.12