Anatomy

ANATOMY

Anatomy is the branch of science that deals with the structure of the human body and the relationship between its parts. It helps us understand where organs are located and how they are arranged.

SCOPE & TYPES OF ANATOMY

1. Gross Anatomy (Macroscopic Anatomy)

Study of structures visible to the naked eye.

Types of Gross Anatomy:

• Surface Anatomy: Study of external body features.
• Regional Anatomy: Study of structures in specific regions (e.g., head, neck, chest).
• Systemic Anatomy: Study of organ systems like skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, etc.

Divisions of Systemic Anatomy:

2. Microscopic Anatomy

Structures that cannot be seen without a microscope.

• Cytology: Study of cells
• Histology: Study of tissues

3. Clinical Anatomy

Useful in medical practice; includes:

• Pathological Anatomy: Study of structural changes due to disease
• Radiographic Anatomy: Study of internal structures using X-ray, CT, MRI
• Molecular Biology: Study of structures at sub-cellular level

TYPES OF BASIC ANATOMICAL TERMS

1. Anatomical Position

This is the standard reference position for describing the human body:

• Body standing upright
• Face forward
• Arms at side
• Palms facing forward
• Feet together

All anatomical terms (like anterior, posterior, medial, lateral) refer to the body in this position.

2. Anatomical Directional Terms

Used to locate one structure in relation to another.

Table: Anatomical Directional Terms

3. Anatomical Regional Terms

These terms describe specific body regions such as:

• Cranium (head)
• Thorax (chest)
• Abdomen
• Brachium (arm)
• Antebrachium (forearm)
• Carpus (wrist)
• Digits (fingers/toes)
• Thigh, leg, ankle, etc.

ANATOMICAL TERMS OF BODY PLANES (POSITION)

To study the human body accurately, imaginary flat surfaces called planes are used. These planes help describe sections or cuts through organs and the whole body.

1. Sagittal Plane

• A vertical plane dividing the body into right and left portions.
• If it divides the body exactly into equal right and left halves, it is the mid-sagittal (median) plane.
• If the division is unequal, it is called a para-sagittal plane.

2. Frontal (Coronal) Plane

• A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions.

3. Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

• A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions.
• Commonly used in CT and MRI scanning.

ANATOMICAL TERMS OF MOVEMENT AT JOINTS

Movements at joints help us understand how bones and muscles work together. These terms describe how body parts move relative to their normal position.

Basic Movement Terms