1 introduction to anatomy

Meremo A. J. MD, MMED

Study of the structural organization of the human body in relation to health

Is the foundation of the medical knowledge

Comes from Greek word

anatome– body cutting

Anatomy science of structure relationships revealed by

dissection (cutting apart) imaging techniques

Subdivisions surface anatomy, gross anatomy,

systemic anatomy, regional anatomy, radiographic anatomy, developmental anatomy, embryology, cytology, and pathological anatomy

Subspecialties of anatomy Gross anatomy

As seen with a naked eye Histology

Studies tissues using microscopy Cell biology

Studies cells using microscopy etc Neuroanatomy

Studies nervous tissues Embryology

Study of embryo development

Gross anatomy

Also known as macroscopic anatomy studied by dissecting the cadaver.

The dissection is guided a manual. Can be

Regional approach Systemic approach

Regional approach

Studies the boundaries, contents, structures etc. in a particular region

Including: bones, joints, muscles, fasciae,

blood vessels, lymphatic drainage, nerves.

Systemic approach

Divides the body into various systems e.g. Osteology- bones Myology- muscles Arthrology- joints Angiology- blood vessels Neurology– nerves Digestive system Urinary system, Reproductive system Endocrine system

Methods of study of Gross Anatomy Dissection and observation (cadaver) Radiography Ultrasonography/Ultrasound Computed tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging Angiography Endoscopy Surface anatomy

Cell biology

Is studied by using: Light microscopy Immunohistochemistry Electron microscopy Immunocytochemistry Flow cytometry Molecular techniques Fluoresent in situ hybridization (FISH)

Histology Is basically studied by light and electron

microscopy Developmental anatomy Developmental anatomy deals with the

development of a baby from fertilization to birth.

Neuroanatomy/Neurology Is the study of the brain spinal cord and nerves

Structural organization from simplest to most complex Chemical Cellular Tissue – group of cells similar in

structure and function Organ – 2 or more tissue types

performing specific function Organ system – group of organs acting

together to perform specific function Human organism

Organ systems

Integumentary Skeletal Muscular Nervous Endocrine Cardiovascular Lymphatic/immune Respiratory Digestive Urinary Reproductive

ELEMENTS OF ANATOMY

Elements of Osteology Myology Arthrology Angiology Neurology

The language of anatomy

Anatomy has special terminology Comes from Latin/Greek

e.g. Lavator - elevate/raise Labium - lip Pollicis - Pollex/thumb Peri - around Halucis halux - big toe

Anatomical position Standing erect, Feet together, Arms by the side; Head, eyes, palms facing forward.

Anatomical Position

The anatomical position is a standardized method of observing or imaging the body that allows precise and consistent anatomical references.

When in the anatomical position, the subject stands (Figure 1.5). standing upright facing the observer, head level eyes facing forward feet flat on the floor arms at the sides palms turned forward (ventral)

Basic Anatomical Terminology

Basic Anatomical Terminology

Reclining Position

If the body is lying face down, it is in the prone position.

If the body is lying face up, it is in the supine position.

Basic body planes or sections

These terms are used for planes or sections that cut the body, organs, tissues, or cells

Example of how planes would cut the brain

Body Planes

Median plane A back to front vertical plane through the

midline. Divides the body into equal right and left

halves.

Sagittal plane Any plane parallel to the median plane Median is a form of sagittal planes Paramedian are typical sagittal planes

Frontal plane Any vertical plane at right angles to the

median plane. Also called coronal plane.

Transverse plane Any horizontal plane at right angles to

both the sagittal and frontal planes.

Terms of relationship

Superior and inferior A structure closer to the head than the other is

superior structure away from the head is inferior. In embryology the term cranial replaces superior

whereas caudal replaces inferior. Anterior and posterior

A structure nearer the front of the body is anterior; whereas the one nearer the back is posterior.

In embryology ventral replaces anterior; and dorsal replaces posterior.

Medial and lateral A structure closer to the median plane is medial A structure away from the median plane is ;lateral A structure exactly in the midline is median.

Proximal and distal This is applied mainly to the limbs. A structure nearer to the point of attachment of the limb

is proximal, a structure away from the attachment is distal.

Supine and prone Supine refers to the body lying on its back Prone refers to the body lying on its face.

Superficial and deep/profundus A structure nearer to the surface than the other is

superficial. A structure away from the surface is deep or

profundus.

Some combinations e.g. Anterolateral Posteromedial Superomedial etc

Terms of movement Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle of a joint.

Extension Movement that increase the angle

Abduction Movement away from the median plane Abduction of the fingers refers to

spreading the fingers

Adduction Movement towards the median plane of the body

Opposition Specific movement where the thumb tip touches

another finger tip e.g. when holds a pen, grasp a cup handle etc

Reposition Is when the thumb returns to its anatomical position

Protraction Movement forward as in moving the jaw

forward Retraction

Movement backward as in moving the jaws backward or in drawing the shoulders backward.

Elevation Moving a part superiorly example the

shoulders are elevated when raising the upper limb above.

Depression Opposite of elevation

Circumduction A combination of flexion, abduction,

extension, adduction and rotation. Eversion:

The plantar surface of the foot is turned away from the median plane

Inversion: The opposite of eversion; plantar

surface is turned medially

Supination Rotation of the forearm laterally

Pronation Rotation of the forearm medially

Body cavities and membranes Dorsal cavity divided into cranial and vertebral Ventral cavity containing viscera (visceral

organs) divided into two main cavities Thoracic cavity

2 lateral pleural cavities Central mediastinum containing pericardial

cavity Abdominopelvic cavity

Abdominal cavity Pelvic cavity

Serous cavities are slit-like spaces lined by serous membranes (serosa): Parietal serosa forms the outer wall of the cavity Visceral serosa covers the visceral organ

Other smaller cavities: in head, between joints

1.) parietal or

visceral

2.) pericardial, pleural, or peritoneal*

Naming of serous membranes (serosa) with 2 adjectives:

Parietal serosa forms the outer wall of the cavityVisceral serosa covers the visceral organ

Pericardial: heartPleural: lungsPeritoneal: abdominal

Directional Terms Used to Describe the Position of one Structure to AnotherSuperior/Inferior(Cephalic/Caudal)Anterior/Posterior(Ventral/Dorsal)Medial/LateralIntermediate: Between

Ipsilateral/Contralateral

Proximal/DistalSuperficial/Deep