Book Overview

The human body is the entire structure of a human being and comprises a head, neck, trunk (which includes the thorax and abdomen), arms and hands, legs and feet. Every part of the body is composed of various types of cell. At maturity, the estimated number of cells in the body is given as 37.2 trillion. This number is stated to be of partial data and to be used as a starting point for further calculations. The number given is arrived at by totalling the cell numbers of all the organs of the body and cell types. The composition of the human body shows it to be composed of a number of certain elements in different proportions.The study of the human body involves anatomy and physiology. The human body can show anatomical non–pathological anomalies which need to be able to be recognised. Physiology focuses on the systems and their organs of the human body and their functions. Many systems and mechanisms interact in order to maintain homeostasis.Skeletal structure frames the overall shape of the body and does not alter much over a lifetime. General body shape (and female body shape) is influenced by the distribution of muscle and fat tissue and also affected by various hormones. The average height of an adult male human (in developed countries) is about 1.7–1.8 m (5′7" to 5′11") and the adult female is about 1.6–1.7 m (5′2" to 5′7"). Height is largely determined by genes and diet. Body type and composition are influenced by factors such as genetics, diet, and exercise.The human body has several body cavities the largest of which is the abdominopelvic cavity. These cavities house the various body organs including the spinal cord which also accommodates the production and flow of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricular system of the brain. There are also many other smaller