Health Science Core Chapter 13 An Introduction to the Human Body

1. McFatter Technical Center Emergency Medical Technician - Basic Health Science CoreChapter 13An Introduction to the Human Body Revised: March 2008

2. Human Body Function • Anatomy – the study of the structure of the body • Physiology – the study of the function of the body Revised: March 2008

3. Cells: The Basic of Life • Cell - a basic unit of life • Cells are made up of jelly-like material called cytoplasm (protoplasm) • Cytoplasm is composed of carbon, hydrogen, calcium, nitrogen, oxygen, and phosphorus • Outer covering of the cell is cell membrane Revised: March 2008

4. Cells: The Basic of Life • Nucleus – controls vital functions like metabolism, growth, and reproduction • Mitochondria – release energy during chemical reactions • Chromosomes and genes – determine physical and mental characteristics of a human being Revised: March 2008

5. Cells: The Basic of Life Meiosis – cell reproduction specific for ovaries and testes Revised: March 2008

6. Cells: The Basic of Life Mitosis – cell reproduction in which a cell divides Revised: March 2008

7. Tissue • A group of similar cells and their cell products • Interstitial fluid surrounds the tissue and contains water, salt, and various other substances • Water accounts for 60% of the body weight • Dehydration is the result of not enough interstitial fluids • Edema is the result of too much interstitial fluids Revised: March 2008

8. Tissue Revised: March 2008

9. Connective Tissue • Supports and connects other tissue and parts • Adipose or fatty tissue is soft connective tissue that stores fat, insulates, and energy source • Fibrous connective tissue serves to support joints and hold structures together • Osseous tissue is known as bones Revised: March 2008

10. Nervous Tissue • Tissue made up of neurons that comprise the nervous system • Nervous system consists of the brain, spinal cord, and nerves Revised: March 2008

11. Epithelial Tissue Tissue that lines the cavities of the body and the principal tubes and passageways that lead to the exterior of the body Revised: March 2008

12. Muscle Tissue • Tissue that is responsible for body movement • Three main types: • Skeletal • Cardiac • Smooth or visceral Revised: March 2008

13. Tissue - Terms • Organ – a structure within the body made up of tissue that allow it to perform a particular function • System – a group of organs that work together to perform a common function Revised: March 2008

14. Body Planes and Directional Terms • Transverse plane – horizontal line that divides the body into top and bottom halves • Midsagittal plane – vertical line that divides the body into left and right halves • Coronal or frontal plane – vertical line that divides the body into front and back Revised: March 2008

15. Body Planes and Directional Terms • Superior – located above another body part • Inferior – located below another body part • Anterior – front location • Posterior – back location • Medial – located near the middle • Lateral – located near the side Revised: March 2008

16. Body Planes and Directional Terms • Proximal – close to the reference point • Distal – something that lies distant to the point of attachment or original reference point • Cranial – body part located near the head • Caudal – body part located near the feet Revised: March 2008

17. The 5 Body Cavities • Cranial • Spinal • Thoracic • Abdominal • Pelvic Revised: March 2008

18. References • Pollak, Andrew N. Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured. 9th ed. Sudbury, Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett, 2005. • Stevens, Kay, and Garber, Debra. Introduction to Clinical Allied Healthcare. 2nd ed. Clifton Park, New York: Thomson Delmar Learning, 1996. Revised: March 2008