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Anatomy, PART II
Physiology,
and Pathology
by Body Systems
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An Overview of
Anatomy, Physiology, CHAPTER 3

and Pathology

Good work is not accomplished in haste. —Ancient Chinese Proverb

HIGHLIGHTS
Let’s begin with some basic definitions. Anatomy is the study of the structure of the
body. Physiology is the study of the functions of the body.
Anatomy has many subdisciplines. Cytology is the microscopic study of the struc-
ture of cells. Histology is the study of tissue. Developmental anatomy is the study of the
structure from egg to adult form. Embryology is the study of structures from the time of
fertilization through the eighth week of gestation. Gross anatomy refers to structures
that can be studied without the aid of a microscope. Pathological anatomy is the study
of changes in structures caused by disease. Regional anatomy is the study of a specific
region of the body, such as the head or lower extremities. Radiographic anatomy is the
study of the body through x-rays. Surface anatomy is the study of the body through
observation and palpation. Systemic anatomy is the study of specific body systems.
The logical order for learning anatomy is to get to know the chemistry of the body,
the body’s cellular structure, and the major systems of the body—their components,
their location, and their functions. Massage students left on their own to study may
focus on the muscles and bones, ignoring other systems, such as the urinary system
or the reproductive system. Don’t! Although it might be difficult to see why massage
therapists would need to know how the urinary system or the reproductive system
functions, it is on the test.
Physiology also has subdisciplines. These subdisciplines include neurophysiol-
ogy, the study of nerves; cell physiology, the study of cell function; and exercise phys-
iology, the study of the acute responses and long-term adaptations of the body to
physical activity or exercise. In the study of any body system, whenever any structure

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26 PART II Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology by Body Systems

is affected by a pathological condition, the physiology of the structure may be affected

as well; therefore, cardiology, endocrinology, and study of other body systems may
also cross over into the categories of physiology and pathology. As mentioned, this
guide is not meant to be an anatomy text by anyone’s standards. To prepare ade-
quately for your exam, you will want to review the anatomy and physiology textbook
you had in school, and be sure you can answer the questions in it.
Another reason to know basic anatomy and physiology is for the benefit of your
future clients. Although massage therapists are not allowed to prescribe or diagnose,
part of your process is to take a thorough health history of clients before you begin
the massage session. The more knowledge you have, the more competent you appear
to the client. In my experience, clients often discuss their health problems while they
are on the table; some will even ask you questions in the same way they would ask a
doctor. Avoid giving unqualified advice. However, if a client asks where the spleen is
located or what function it performs, you should be able to answer that question.
Part of your task as a massage therapist is to educate clients within the scope of
practice and your own areas of expertise. By offering clients a holistic education that
emphasizes the interconnections and integration of theory and practice, you are
empowering them and furthering your own goals of creating a successful practice.
Because you have gotten this far in your quest to become a massage therapist,
think back to the time before studying any anatomy, and see how much more body
awareness you have now than you did before undertaking your massage studies. If you
feel a sharp pain somewhere, can you identify its location? Do not diagnose yourself,
either; if you are sick, seek help. The point is that it is useful to know where your own
gallbladder or Achilles tendon is located. Your own body awareness is vital to your
ability to function optimally as a massage therapist. Practicing good body mechanics
and ergonomics can extend your career by years. Conversely, working in the wrong
way can shorten your career by years! Many therapists have had their careers cut
short by hyperextended thumbs, carpal tunnel syndrome, or back pain from working
hard instead of working smart.
The examination includes kinesiology, the study of movement; this guide covers
kinesiology in Chapter 20.

An Overview of the Human Body

The basic unit of life is the cell. Groups of similar cells combine to form tissue. Tissue
types are defined in their respective sections of the body systems in which they occur.
A collection of tissues having a specific function is an organ. Organs acting together to
perform specific functions are called organ systems, which in turn make up the body,
also called an organism. The organs of the body reside in cavities that are named for
the organs or regions in which the organs are housed. The abdominal cavity holds the
digestive organs and the liver and spleen. The abdominopelvic cavity describes both
the abdominal cavity below the diaphragm and the pelvic cavity, which houses the
urinary bladder, the rectum, and the internal reproductive organs. The thoracic cavity
is protected by the rib cage and contains the vital organs, such as the heart and lungs.
The pericardial cavity is the specific cavity within the thoracic cavity that protects
the heart. The term ventral cavity describes the combined thoracic and
abdominopelvic cavities. The interconnected cranial cavity, which houses the brain,
and the spinal cavity, which houses the spinal cord, is described as the dorsal cavity.
The 11 body systems of the human organism are the integumentary system, the
skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system, the cardiovascular system,
the lymphatic system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, the endocrine sys-
tem, the urinary system, and the reproductive system. In addition, the sensory system
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An Overview of Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology CHAPTER 3 27

is contained within several of the other systems. The sense of taste, for example, is part
of the digestive system and the nervous system; the sense of touch is part of the integu-
mentary system and the nervous system. The craniosacral system is often referred to
as a separate system, but it is actually part of the nervous system. These systems, as
well as the chemistry and cellular structure of the body, are discussed in the chapters
that follow. For the examination, you will be expected to know the organs, the location,
and the functions of all the systems, which are summarized in Table 3.1. For clarity and
convenience when studying, at the end of each body system chapter, the pathology of
that particular system is reviewed.

T A B L E 3.1 Body Systems

System Components Functions

Integumentary Skin and associated structures such as hair, nails, Protects body; helps regulate body temperature, waste
sweat glands, and oil glands elimination, production of vitamin D; detects sensations
such as hot, cold, pain, etc.

Skeletal Bones and joints and associated cartilages Supports and protects body; aids movements, houses cells that
give rise to blood cells, stores minerals and fats

Muscular Skeletal muscle tissue, usually attached to bones Produces body movements, stabilizes posture, produces body heat

Nervous Brain, spinal cord, nerves Regulates body activities through nerve impulses by detecting
changes in body’s internal and/or external environment and
reacting by causing muscle contractions or glandular secretions

Cardiovascular Blood, heart, blood vessels Carries oxygen and nutrients to cells and carbon dioxide and
other wastes away from cells; helps regulate acidity,
temperature, and water content in bodily fluids; blood
components aid immunity and repair of damaged blood vessels

Lymphatic Lymphatic fluid and vessels; also structures that Protects against disease-causing organisms; returns proteins
contain lymphocytes (white blood cells), such as and other substances to blood and carries lipids from GI tract
spleen, lymph nodes, thymus gland, and tonsils to blood

Respiratory Lungs and the airways going into and out of them Transfers oxygen from inhaled air to the blood and carbon
dioxide from blood to exhaled air; helps regulate pH of body
fluids; allows vocal cords to produce sound through air
flowing out of lungs

Digestive GI tract, starting at mouth and includes esophagus, Absorption of nutrients by physical and chemical breakdown
stomach, intestines, and ends at anus; also includes of food and elimination of waste
organs that aid digestion, such as salivary glands,
liver, pancreas, and gallbladder

Endocrine Cells and glands that produce hormones: pancreas, Regulates body activities through release of hormones
thyroid, pituitary, adrenal, and pineal glands

Urinary Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder, and urethra Produces, stores, and eliminates waste products through urine;
regulates blood volume, composition, and mineral balance;
aids in red blood cell production

Reproductive Gonads (testes or ovaries) and associated organs; in Produces gametes in gonads for reproduction; regulates
females, uterine tubes, uterus, and vagina; in males, reproduction and other processes through release of hormones
epididymis, ductus deferens, prostate gland, and
penis
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28 PART II Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology by Body Systems

Frontal Sagittal Transverse

(coronal) plane (horizontal)
plane plane

FIGURE 3.1
Planes of the body.
(Reprinted with permission from Cohen BJ, Wood DL. Memmler’s The Human Body in Health and Disease,
10th ed. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005.)

Directional Terminology
While studying the human body, it is vital to know directional terminology. The body
can be described by planes of division (Fig. 3.1). The frontal plane divides the body
into anterior and posterior positions. The frontal plane is also called the coronal plane.
The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right sections; the midsagittal plane
divides the body into equal left and right sections. The transverse plane, which divides
the body into upper and lower sections, is also called the horizontal plane. The body
is also described using anatomical directions as points of reference, as listed.

Anatomical position: standing erect, facing forward, arms at side, palms facing
forward
Anterior (ventral): toward the front; in front of
Caudal (inferior): toward the tail; lower
Cephalad: toward the head; upper
Cranial (superior): toward the head
Deep: far from the surface
Distal: away from a point of reference; farthest from the trunk
Dorsal (posterior): toward the back; in back of
Inferior (caudal): toward the tail; lower
Lateral: away from the midline of the body
Medial: toward the midline of the body
Posterior (dorsal): toward the back; in back of
Proximal: toward or nearest the trunk or point of reference
Superficial: near the surface
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Superior (cranial): toward the head

Ventral (anterior): toward the front; in front of

PATHOLOGY: THE STUDY OF DISEASE

Disease can be defined as an impairment of health that interferes with the body’s abil-
ity to function normally. Injuries, poisonings, the introduction of foreign substances,
and environmental problems do not strictly fall into the category of disease but they
cause their own pathologies nonetheless.
As mentioned, each body system chapter contains its own section on pathology.
But here we will review some general terminology associated with disease and injury.
Let us start by looking at the roots of the word pathology. The suffix –ology means the
study of, and the prefix path– means feeling or suffering, from the Greek pathos, mean-
ing disease. There are two main types of pathology. Anatomical pathology focuses on
the study of tissues removed from a dead or living person to diagnose disease or cause
of death. Clinical pathology is actually a number of subdisciplines that are often
referred to as laboratory medicine: chemistry, histology, microbiology, and other spe-
cialties. To go even further, pathophysiology is the study of how disease and trauma
alter the normal functioning of the body.
To know what is abnormal, you must first know what is normal—not just regard-
ing disease but also regarding simple body function. You may encounter questions on
the test pertaining to normal blood pressure, normal body temperature, normal blood
pH, and so on.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Acute: characterized by sudden onset
Aerobe: an organism that lives in an oxygen environment
Ambulatory: able to walk
Anaerobe: an organism that lives in an oxygen-free environment
Anaplasia: the irregular structural characteristics of a cell that identify it as a malig-
nant cancer cell
Anomaly: an abnormal occurrence, especially in reference to birth defects
Antibiotic: a chemical substance derivable from a mold or bacterium that kills
microorganisms and cures infections
Antibody: a protein produced by the body as part of its defense against foreign
bacteria or blood cells
Antisepsis: the prevention of sepsis by excluding or destroying microorganisms
Antiseptic: a substance that kills or prohibits the growth of microorganisms
Asepsis: free from germs
Atrophy: a wasting away or decrease in size of a cell, tissue, organ, or part of the
body caused by lack of nourishment, inactivity, or loss of nerve supply
Autoimmunity: a situation in which the body produces an immune response against
its own organs or tissues, causing severe inflammation and chronic conditions
Bacteria: microorganisms capable of reproduction; some strains cause infection
(and some are beneficial)
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30 PART II Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology by Body Systems

Benign: referring to a tumor, or abnormal growth, that is not cancerous and does not
invade nearby tissues or spread to other parts of the body
Chronic: slow developing, recurring
Degenerative: characterized by diminishing capabilities
Diagnosis: the identification of disease or trauma
Disease: an impairment of health that interferes with the body’s ability to function
normally
Disinfect: the prevention of sepsis by excluding or destroying microorganisms
Endemic: characterizing a disease that exists in a location or group of people all the
time
Epidemic: a sudden outbreak of disease in numbers much higher than normal
Etiology: the study of the cause and origin of disease
Exacerbation: a marked increase in symptoms or severity of disease
Fungus: a mold, yeast, or mushroom; some fungi are beneficial; some, such as ring-
worm and athlete’s foot, are not.
Hereditary: genetically passed from parent to child
Hyperplasia: an increase in the number of cells in an organ or tissue
Idiopathic: of unknown origin
Infection: the invasion and growth of microorganisms that may cause cellular injury
in tissue
Inflammation: a protective response from the body in response to infection or injury,
characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain
Local: affecting only one part
Malignant: cancerous; a growth with a tendency to invade and destroy nearby tissue
and spread to other parts of the body
Morbid: diseased or sick
Morbidity: any departure, subjective or objective, from a state of physiological or
psychological well-being
Neoplasm: an abnormal growth of tissue that may be benign or malignant
Pandemic: an epidemic that affects an expanded demographic area
Pathogenesis: the origin and development of disease
Pathology: the study of disease
Pathophysiology: the study of how disease and/or trauma alters the normal func-
tioning of the body
Signs: the evidence of disease as perceived by the doctor
Sterilize: to destroy bacteria and other microorganisms
Symptoms: the subjective evidence of disease as perceived by the patient
Syndrome: a group of signs or symptoms characteristic of a particular disease or
abnormal condition
Systemic: affecting the whole body
Trauma: a physical injury or wound caused by an external force of violence, which
may cause death or permanent disability. Trauma is also used to describe severe
emotional or psychological shock or distress.
Virulence: the ability of an organism to cause disease
Virus: an intracellular parasite that causes disease
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T I P S F O R P A S S I N G

A full-length mirror is one of the most useful reference tools in studying for the exam-
ination. Stand in front of the mirror and draw the planes and directions in the air until
you have them memorized. As you go through the next chapters, do the same for the Affirmation
bones and muscles. Touch them and say the names out loud several times.
I persevere and finish any
task that I undertake.

Practice Questions
1. The basic unit of life is the ______ .
a. Atom
b. Cell
c. Molecule
d. Organelle
2. The study of the structure of the body is called ______ .
a. Kinesiology
b. Neurobiology
c. Pathology
d. Anatomy
3. Cephalad means ______ .
a. Toward the feet
b. In the middle of the torso
c. Toward the head
d. Toward the pelvis
4. Antibodies are molecules of ______ involved in the immune response of the body.
a. Carbohydrates
b. Lipids
c. Antibiotics
d. Proteins
5. Etiology is the study of ______ .
a. The cause of disease
b. The sex organs
c. Insects
d. Emotions
6. The condition characterized by swelling, heat, redness, and pain is known as
______.
a. Chicken pox
b. Fibromyalgia
c. Cushing syndrome
d. Inflammation
7. In the Western anatomical position, the human body is: ______.
a. Standing erect, facing forward, arms at side, palms facing forward
b. Standing erect, facing forward, arms straight out, palms facing forward
c. Standing erect, facing forward, arms at side, palms facing backward
d. Standing erect, facing forward, arms bent at elbow, palms facing up
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32 PART II Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathology by Body Systems

8. The pericardial cavity is located within the ______ .

a. Abdominopelvic cavity
b. Cranial cavity
c. Spinal cavity
d. Thoracic cavity
9. The study of the tissues of the body is referred to as ______ .
a. Histology
b. Phrenology
c. Molecular biology
d. Physiology
10. A short, severe episode is referred to as ______ .
a. Chronic
b. Acute
c. Terminal
d. Minute
11. The ability of an organism to cause disease is referred to as ______.
a. Hyperplasia
b. Pandemic
c. Virulence
d. Asepsis
12. The human body is an ______.
a. Anaerobe
b. Organism
c. Organ system
d. Anomaly
13. The increase in symptoms or severity of a condition is a(n) ______.
a. Endemic
b. Inflammation
c. Exacerbation
d. Malignancy
14. The _____ plane divides the body into upper and lower sections.
a. Transverse
b. Frontal
c. Coronal
d. Sagittal
15. A disease of unknown origin is referred to as ______.
a. Idiopathic
b. Pandemic
c. Ideologic
d. Epidemic