Healthcare

The human body is an incredibly complex system, composed of numerous subsystems that must work together to function as a healthy, individual organism. To understand how the body as a whole maintains its health and proper functioning, you must first understand how its different parts function, both separately and together.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

• Define anatomy, physiology, homeostasis, and diseases
• Outline the levels of organization of the human body
• Identify the major tissue types in the body
• Identify the body systems and their major functions
• Define anatomical position and its importance
• Define body planes
• Define body cavities and regions
• Identify common anatomical directional terms
• Identify the structures and functions of the organelles of a typical human cell

Every day when we eat, a number of physiological and chemical reactions occur in the stomach and the different parts of the digestive system. Digestive organs work together to ensure that the food we eat is digested and energy is produced. They do this by secreting acids and enzymes that break down the complex compounds that make up food into simpler compounds that can be absorbed into the blood as nutrients or used to store energy. Cells later use stored energy to accomplish a variety of functions necessary for life. The parts of the food we eat that are not digestible are eliminated as waste.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

• Identify the anatomical structures of the digestive system and their functions
• Explain the physiology of digestion through the system
• Explain how the digestive system contributes to the homeostasis of the body
• Identify the anatomical structures of the urinary system and their functions

The human body is an incredibly complex system that is composed of numerous subsystems that must all work together if it is to maintain homeostasis and function as a healthy organism. The functions of support, protection, and movement are in large part the responsibility of the integumentary system, the skeletal system, and the muscular system.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

• Explain the functions of the skin, including its contribution to homeostasis
• Identify the anatomical structures of the skin
• Explain the function of the anatomical structures of the skin
• Describe the major functions of the skeletal system
• Describe how the skeletal system is organized
• Identify the anatomical structures of the skeletal system, including the major bones of the body
• Identify the anatomical structures of the muscular system, including the major muscles of the body
• Explain the basic concept of muscle contraction
• Describe how the muscular system contributes to homeostasis of the body
• Identify the anatomical structures of the muscular system, including the major muscles of the body

As we grow and interact with our environment, our bodies must adjust to changing circumstances while maintaining an internal balance called homeostasis. The coordination and control of the body’s responses to changing conditions often involves a series of complex and interrelated processes. An understanding of anatomy and physiology is necessary to explore the structures and functions of several different body systems, including the nervous system and its associated sense organs; the endocrine system and its associated organs, glands, and hormones; and the male and female reproductive systems.

After completing this resource, learners will be able to:

• Describe the organization and major functions of the nervous system
• Identify the anatomical structures of the nervous system and their functions
• Explain how an electrical impulse is conducted through a nerve
• Identify the anatomical structures of the endocrine system
• Explain how a hormone effects a response in the body
• Explain how the endocrine system contributes to the homeostasis of the body
• Describe the major hormones secreted by each gland of the endocrine system, including their major functions in the body
• Identify the anatomical structures of the male and female reproductive systems
• Explain the basic physiology of reproduction

Every day when we eat, a number of physiological and chemical reactions occur in the stomach and the different parts of the digestive system. Digestive organs work together to ensure that the food we eat is digested and energy is produced. They do this by secreting acids and enzymes that break down the complex compounds that make up food into simpler compounds that can be absorbed into the blood as nutrients or used to store energy. Cells later use stored energy to accomplish a variety of functions necessary for life. The parts of the food we eat that are not digestible are eliminated as waste.

After completing this resource, Learners will be able to:

• Identify the anatomical structures of the respiratory system and their functions
• Explain the mechanics of breathing
• Explain internal and external respiration
• Explain how the respiratory system contributes to the homeostasis of the body
• Identify the anatomical structures of the circulatory system
• Explain how blood flows through the heart, lungs, and body
• Describe the electrical conduction system of the heart
• Explain the cardiac cycle, including how the circulatory system contributes to the homeostasis of the body
• Describe the composition and functions of blood
• Identify the anatomical structures of the lymphatic system