Body planes and directions Anatomical position To describe body parts and position accurately, it is essential to have an initial

reference point and indications of direction. the standard body position is the anatomical position. in this position, the body is erect with feet together. this position is easy to remember because it resembles " standing at attention ", except that the palms face forward and the thumbs are pointed away from the body. Body planes Planes are imaginary horizontal and vertical lines used to divide the body into sections. a vertical plane is an up-and-down line at a right angle to the horizon. a horizontal plane is a flat, crosswise line like the horizon. Vertical planes The mid-sagittal plane, also known as the midline, is the vertical plane that divides the body, from top to bottom, into equal left and right halves. The sagittal plane is the vertical plane parallel to the mid-sagittal line that divides the body into unequal left and right portions. The coronal plane, also known as the frontal plane, is the vertical plane at right angles to the sagittal plane dividing the body into the anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions. Horizontal planes The transverse plane, also referred to as the horizontal planes, divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions. This division can be at the wrist or any other level across the body. Body directions Relative location of the whole body or an organ is described through the use of pairs of contrasting body direction terms as the following table : Ventral Proximal Anterior Medial Cephalic Superior Dorsal Distal Posterior Lateral Bilateral Caudal Inferior

Major body cavities. A body cavity is a space within the body that contains and protects the viscera or internal organs.

Dorsal cavity

The dorsal cavity protects the structures of the nervous system that coordinate the functions. the dorsal cavity is subdivided into the cranial cavity, within which the brain is encased by the skull, and the vertebral, or spinal, cavity within the bony vertebral column, which encloses the spinal cord. since the spinal cord emerges from and is essentially a continuation of the brain, the cranial and spinal cavities are continuous with one another.

Ventral cavity

The ventral cavity contains the body organs that maintain homeostasis. homeostasis means the inner stability of the body irrespective of changes of the environment outside the body. like the dorsal cavity, the ventral cavity has two major subdivisions separated by the diaphragm : the superior thoracic cavity, surrounded by the ribs and muscles of the chest, and the inferior abdominopelvic cavity.

Organs and body systems

Cells are the structural units of all living things. the human body has trillions of these tiny building blocks. Tissues are groups of closely associated cells that are similar in structure and perform a common function. there are four types of tissues : epithelial tissues, connective tissues, muscle tissues and nervous tissues. An organ is an integration of some types of tissues and a somewhat independent part of the body that performs specific function or functions. The tissues and organs of the body are organized into system that perform specialized functions. the following tables presents major body systems.

Body system Intergumentary system

Major components Skin, hair, nails Sebaceous glands Sweat glands

Major functions Protection of body Temperature regulation Water regulation Support, giving shape Protection Formation of blood cells Storage of minerals

Skeletal system

Bones, cartilages Joints, membranes

Muscular system

Muscles Tendons Fascia

Locomontion Generations of body heat Holding the body erect Movement of body fluids Coordinating mechanism

Nervous system

Nerves

Brain Spinal cord Special sence orgrans : eyes and ears Endocrine system Pituitary gland Thyroid gland Parathyroid glands Adrenal glands Cardiovascular system Heart

Transmission of messenges Reception of stimuli

Integration of body Functions Homeostasis Growth and deverlopment Blood circulation

Blood vessels : arteries, veins Respiratory support and capillaries Nutrition Blood Transport of waste gases Lymphatic and immune system Lymph Lymph vessels and nodes Tonsils Spleen Antibodies and antigens Respiratory system Nose Pharynx and larynx Trachea Bronchi Lungs and pleura Alveoli or air sacs Digestive system Mouth and pharynx Esophagus Stomach Small intestine Large intestine Liver and pancreas Urinary system Kidneys Ureters Urinary bladder Urethra Filtration of blood to remove wastes Maintenance balance of electrolytes Intake of food Digestion of ingested food Absorption of digested food Elimination of solid waste Bringing oxygen into the body for transportation to the cells Removal of carbon dioxide and some water wastes from the body Supplying nutrients to and removal of waste from tissues Protection of the body from harmful substances

Regulation if fluid balance in the body Production of new life : ovaries, oviducts,

Reproductive system

Male : penis, testes, prostate Female uterus

All the body systems are coordinated with one another to produce an organism or living thing.

Major medical specialties

The following are the names and descriptions of common medical specialties. Cardiology : a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases, abnormalities and disorders of the heart ( including blood vessels ). Dermatology : a branch for diagnosing and treating disorders of the skin. Endocrinology : a branch relating to diagnosis and treating diseases and disorders of the endocrine glands. Gastroenterology : a specialty in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the stomach and the intestines. Gerontology : dealing with diagnosis and treatment of diseases and problem associated with aging. Gynecology : a branch that specialized in diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders of the female reproductive system. Internal medicine : a branch of medicine that deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases, abnormalities and disorders of internal organs. Obstetrics : a department that specializes in providing medical care to women during pregnancy, childbirth, and immediately thereafter. Ophthalmology : a specialty in diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders of the eye. Orthopedics : also known as orthopedic surgery. This branch of surgery deals with diagnosis and treatment of diseases and disorders involving in diseases and disorders involving the bones, joints, and muscles. Otolaryngology : also called otorhinolaryngology : involving in diseases and disorders of the ears, nose and throat. Pediatrics : a specialty in diagnosing, treating and preventing children's diseases and disorders. Surgery : one of the four major specialties in medical major that diagnoses and treats diseases, injury, and deformities by operative methods. There are many subspecialties of surgery.