Anatomy & Physiology: The Unity of Form and Function, 7th Edition

Published by McGraw-Hill Education
ISBN 10: 0073403717
ISBN 13: 978-0-07340-371-7

Chapter 1 - Atlas A.2 - Study Guide - Assess Your Learning Outcomes - Page 38: 1

Answer

The human body can be divided into two major regions: the axial region and the appendicular region. These regions have distinct functions and house different sets of structures: 1. **Axial Region**: - **Location**: The axial region is the central part of the body and includes everything along the body's longitudinal axis, which runs from head to toe. - **Components**: It comprises the head, neck, and trunk (including the chest and abdomen). - **Functions**: The axial region houses vital organs and structures that are essential for basic life functions and protection. For example, the brain is in the head, the spinal cord is in the neck and trunk, and the heart and lungs are in the chest. - **Support and Protection**: The axial region provides support for the body's weight and protects vital organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. 2. **Appendicular Region**: - **Location**: The appendicular region is the part of the body that includes the limbs or appendages, such as the arms and legs. - **Components**: It consists of the upper limbs (arms) and lower limbs (legs) as well as the associated girdles that attach these limbs to the axial skeleton. The upper limb girdle is the pectoral girdle (shoulder), and the lower limb girdle is the pelvic girdle (hips). - **Functions**: The appendicular region is primarily involved in movement and mobility. It allows us to perform a wide range of actions, including walking, running, grasping, and manipulating objects. - **Attachment for Movement**: The girdles in the appendicular region serve as attachment points for muscles that control limb movement. For example, the shoulder girdle allows for the movement of the arms, while the pelvic girdle supports the legs. In summary, the axial region is centrally located and houses vital organs and structures necessary for basic life functions, whereas the appendicular region consists of the limbs and their attachment points, facilitating movement and mobility. These two regions work together to enable a wide range of activities and functions in the human body, from essential internal processes in the axial region to external actions and locomotion in the appendicular region.

Work Step by Step

The human body can be divided into two major regions: the axial region and the appendicular region. These regions have distinct functions and house different sets of structures: 1. **Axial Region**: - **Location**: The axial region is the central part of the body and includes everything along the body's longitudinal axis, which runs from head to toe. - **Components**: It comprises the head, neck, and trunk (including the chest and abdomen). - **Functions**: The axial region houses vital organs and structures that are essential for basic life functions and protection. For example, the brain is in the head, the spinal cord is in the neck and trunk, and the heart and lungs are in the chest. - **Support and Protection**: The axial region provides support for the body's weight and protects vital organs such as the brain, heart, and lungs. 2. **Appendicular Region**: - **Location**: The appendicular region is the part of the body that includes the limbs or appendages, such as the arms and legs. - **Components**: It consists of the upper limbs (arms) and lower limbs (legs) as well as the associated girdles that attach these limbs to the axial skeleton. The upper limb girdle is the pectoral girdle (shoulder), and the lower limb girdle is the pelvic girdle (hips). - **Functions**: The appendicular region is primarily involved in movement and mobility. It allows us to perform a wide range of actions, including walking, running, grasping, and manipulating objects. - **Attachment for Movement**: The girdles in the appendicular region serve as attachment points for muscles that control limb movement. For example, the shoulder girdle allows for the movement of the arms, while the pelvic girdle supports the legs. In summary, the axial region is centrally located and houses vital organs and structures necessary for basic life functions, whereas the appendicular region consists of the limbs and their attachment points, facilitating movement and mobility. These two regions work together to enable a wide range of activities and functions in the human body, from essential internal processes in the axial region to external actions and locomotion in the appendicular region.
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