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THE CELL |
CHAPTER 3
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY
INTRODUCTION
Knowledge of how the human body is con-
structed and how it works is an important part
of the training of everyone concerned with healing
the sick or managing emergency conditions
following injury. This chapter will provide you
with a general knowledge of the structures and
functions of the body.
The human body is a combination of organ
systems with a supporting framework of muscles
and bones and an external covering of skin. The
study of the body is divided into the three follow-
ing sciences:
Anatomy—the study of body structures and
the relation of one part to another
Physiology—the study of the processes and
functions of the body tissue and organs. Basically,
it is the study of how the body works—how the
various parts function individually and in relation
to each other.
Embryology—the study of the development
of the body from a fertilized egg, or ovum.
TERMS OF POSITION AND
DIRECTION
The planes of the body are imaginary lines
dividing it into sections. They are used as reference
points in locating anatomical structures. As shown
in figure 3-1, the MEDIAN, or MIDSAGITTAL,
PLANE divides the body into right and left halves
on its vertical axis. This plane passes through the
sagittal suture of the cranium; therefore, any
plane parallel to it is called a SAGITTAL
PLANE. FRONTAL PLANES are drawn
perpendicular to the sagittal lines and divide the
body into anterior and posterior sections. Since
this line passes through the coronal suture of the
cranium, frontal planes are also called COR-
ONAL PLANES. The HORIZONTAL, or
Figure 3-1.—Planes of the body.
TRANSVERSE, PLANE, which is drawn at right
angles to both sagittal and frontal planes, divides
the body into superior and inferior sections.
To avoid misunderstanding in describing the
location of anatomical structures, a standard body
3-1
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