This course provides a foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology, exploring how body structures and systems work together to maintain health.


Foundations of Human Anatomy and Physiology
This course is part of Interactive 3D Anatomy & Physiology: A Gamified Experience Specialization



Instructors: Maxwell Boardman
Access provided by Coursera Learning Team
Recommended experience
What you'll learn
Learners will understand how body structure supports function in anatomy and physiology
Learners will explore how cells, tissues, and organs work together to maintain homeostasis.
Details to know

Add to your LinkedIn profile
7 assignments
March 2025
See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Build your subject-matter expertise
- Learn new concepts from industry experts
- Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
- Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
- Earn a shareable career certificate


Earn a career certificate
Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV
Share it on social media and in your performance review

There are 2 modules in this course
This Module introduces the foundational concepts of anatomy and physiology (A&P), providing a clear understanding of how the human body is structured and functions. Learners will explore the relationship between anatomy (structure) and physiology (function), learn essential anatomical terminology for describing body parts and their relationships, and examine the hierarchical organization of the body from cells to organ systems. These concepts are critical for understanding the complexity of the human body and its ability to maintain balance and respond to changes.
What's included
4 videos1 reading3 assignments
This lesson explores three foundational concepts critical to understanding how the human body operates: homeostasis, cell functions, and tissues. Students will learn how homeostasis maintains a stable internal environment by regulating factors like temperature and blood sugar levels, using feedback mechanisms to adapt to changes. The lesson also examines the cell as the smallest unit of life, detailing its structure, organelles, and key functions that support energy production, waste management, and communication. Finally, students will explore the four main types of tissues, epithelial, connective, muscle, and nervous tissue, each with specialized roles that support movement, protection, communication, and structure. Together, these concepts provide a comprehensive view of how the body is organized and functions at its most basic levels.
What's included
3 videos4 assignments
Offered by
Why people choose Coursera for their career




Recommended if you're interested in Health
Rice University
Rice University
University of Michigan

Open new doors with Coursera Plus
Unlimited access to 10,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription
Advance your career with an online degree
Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online
Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business
Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy