1. systematic: the study of the structure of the major organ systems
2. regional: deals with the structural relationships of the parts of the body being studied
3. clinical: emphasizes structures and functions that are clinically relevant in the health sciences

1. chemical or molecular level
2. cellular level
3. tissue level
4. organ level 
5. organ system
6. organism

• 99% of atoms are one of 4 elements (hydrogen, oxygen, carbon and nitrogen)
• stoms interact to form compounds of carious properties
• the major compounds include: water, protein, lipids, and carbs
• function related to structure (protein in collagen)

• cells are the smallest living unit of the human body
• organelles (defined as the functional subunits of cells) are internal structures which are composed of complex chemicals or molecules

• at this level, similar types of cells are joined together to form tissue with specific properties
• classified into 4 distinct categories

this system is made up of more than one organ element; together they create a functional system (ie. different organs work together)

major organ systems include (11): integumentary, skeletal & articular, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic & immune, digestive, respiratory, urinary, reproductive, and endocrine

organism

(reflects the interaction/sum total of organ systems working together, in which when normal = homeostasis)

all organisms share the following 6 essential characteristics of life...

(omrgdr)

1. organization
2. metabolism
3. responsiveness
4. growth
5. development
6. reproduction

• standard reference position
• body upright (supine), palms forward, eyes ahead, feet together and forward
• structural relationships are always made as if the body is in a.p.

(or midsagittal)

the vertical plane passing longitudinally through the body into right and left halves

extension beyond anatomical position (not always allowed)

(ie. head rolls back)

dorsal cavity and ventral cavity

*many organs are suspended in chambers that protect and cushion and allow organs to grow or to change shape

1. cranial cavity: houses the brain
2. spinal cavity: houses the spinal cord

• surrounds the respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, urinary and reproductive organ systems

• superior cavity of the ventral cavity
• contains 2 pleulral cavities and 1 pericardial cavity
• also contains the mediastinum (a region between the 2 pleural cavities that contains the thymus, esophagus, trachea, large arteries and veins to/from the heart, nerves and the pericardial cavity

• inferior cavity
• contains the pertoneal cavity which contains the organs housed by this cavity -> abdominal/pelvic portion
• abdominal cavity houses the stomach, intestines, liver and other organs
• the pelvic cavity houses the bladder, some reproductive organs, and the rectum

within the pericardial cavity; the visceral pericardium covers the heart; parietal pericardium is the outer serosal layer.

outer fibrous layer that lines the mediastinum around the heart

• organs that lie in the dorsal aspect of the abdomino-pelvic region and are only in partial contact with the peritoneal cavity on their anterior surface
• includes: kidneys, part of colon, pancreas, adrenals, and urinary bladder
• these organs do NOT have mesenteries, but are instead partially covered by parietal peritoneum

1. can be surrounded by mesenteries
2. can be a retroperitoneal organ