A survey of the body15
3.2 Section through the trunk15
3.3 Fascia and layers16
3.4 Skin16
The human body is built like that of all vertebrates. The trunk consists of a body wall surrounding central cavities that exist in order to allow internal organs to move independently of the wall. These cavities are the pleural (for the lungs), pericardial (for the heart) and peritoneal (for the intestines). Limbs are outgrowths of the body wall. The head houses the brain and main sense organs, and at the other end of the trunk the perineum deals with body effluent and sexual function. The external aspect of the body is covered by skin and skin appendages.
You should:
• understand the trunk as a hollow container with walls
• understand that the limbs are outgrowths of the walls of the trunk
• list the names of the body cavities and serous membranes
• understand that the body wall contains skeletal tissue and muscle
• explain the difference between superficial and deep fascia.
3.1. A survey of the body
The anatomy of the human body is based upon the plan common to all vertebrates.
• The trunk (thorax, abdomen, pelvis) houses the internal organs (respiratory, digestive, urinary and internal genital).
• Limbs are outgrowths of the wall of the trunk. These are for locomotion, feeding and communicating.
• The head and neck house the brain and the entrance to the digestive and respiratory tracts. Since, in quadrupeds, the head leads the way into new environments, it also houses the special sense organs.
• The perineum, at the other end of the trunk, deals with the effluent from the digestive and urinary systems, and includes the external genitalia (in short, sphincters and sex). Many regard the perineum as part of the trunk.
• The nervous system serves all regions. The functions of the nervous system are control and communication.
• The vascular system serves all regions, delivering nutrients, removing waste products, acting as a transport medium and playing a part in other functions, such as communication (blushing).
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