BIO10004 WK 1

• Physiology

  Refers to the study of the functions of the body structures
• Anatomical regions

  • Abdominopelvic quadrants
  • Abdominopelvic regions
• Physiology


  • Function of the body, including its processes, mechanisms, and interactions
  • Explains how the body works and carries out its various activities
  • Example: how the heart pumps blood, how nerves transmit signals, how muscles contract to move the body
• Anatomy

  Refers to the internal and external structures of the body and their physical relationships
• Anatomy


  • The structure of the body includes organs, tissue, cells, and molecules
  • Provides the blueprint for how the body is built and organized
  • Example: the structure of the heart, the layout of the nervous system, and the arrangement of muscles in the arm
• Body cavities of the trunk

  • The thoracic cavity fills the chest and is subdivided into two pleural cavities and the pericardial cavity. Pleural cavity holds the lungs. Pericardial cavity holds the heart. Abdominal cavity fills lower half of the trunk and subdivided into the abdominal cavity and pelvic cavity. Abdominopelvic cavity contains the peritoneal cavity which is a potential space lined by serous membrane (peritoneum). Double lining allows organs of the digestive system to slide across one another without damage to walls of the cavity. The abdominal cavity extends from inferior surface of diaphragm to the level of superior margins of the pelvis. Includes: liver intestine, spleen, and stomach. The pelvic cavity is inferior to the abdominal cavity. Includes: urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and distal portion of large intestine. Dorsal cavity lies close to the spine in the posterior portion of the body
• Anatomy and Physiology

  Anatomy provides the foundation for physiology. The structure of organs and tissues determines how they can function. Physiology explains the purpose of anatomy. The functions of the body’s systems and structures reveal their significance in maintaining life and health. They continuously interact. Changes in physiology can affect anatomy. Conversely, anatomical variations can influence physiology, like how heart valves defects impact blood flow. Example: muscle hypertrophy from exercise
• Homeostasis

  • The state of equilibrium in the body
  • Negative feedback (slow) - Counteracting change
  • Positive feedback (rapid) - Amplifies/enhances the original change in conditions
• Positive feedback

  1. An initial stimulus produces a response that amplifies/enhances the original change in conditions

  2. Example: blood clotting due to a cut or labor
• Body cavities

  • Abdominal cavity
  • Pelvic cavity
  • Dorsal cavity
• Slow (negative feedback)

  Works for most systems by reducing the difference between the current state and desired state (e.g. body temperature control)
• Dorsal cavity


  • Lies close to the spine in the posterior portion of the body
  • Contains spinal column, CNS, and meninges (tissue surround brain and spinal cord)
• Pericardial cavity

  Small chamber that surrounds the heart
• Viscera

  Internal organs that are enclosed by body cavities
• System integration, equilibrium, and homeostasis

  • Control over different organ systems requires coordinated efforts and interactions with each other
  • Dynamic equilibrium: physiological system functions to maintain a state of equilibrium that keeps vitals within a normal range of values
• Negative feedback

  1. Counteracting change

  2. Example: body temperature (thermoregulation)

  3. Two effectors: muscle tissue lining the walls of blood vessels supplying blood to the skin and sweat glands
• Pelvic cavity


  • Located inferior to the abdominal cavity
  • Includes: urinary bladder, reproductive organs, and distal portion of large intestine
• Physiology types

  • Cellular physiology
  • Organ physiology
  • Systemic physiology
  • Pathological physiology
• Mediastinum

  Space in the chest that holds the heart and other structures
• Rapid (positive feedback)


  Works by building (snowballing) the current state until the system prevents further damage (e.g. blood clotting)