Anatomy Overview and Study Methods

Anatomy

• The study of human body structures and their relationship to each other
• Dissection is a core method of anatomical study

Methods of Studying Anatomy

• Cadaveric Anatomy - Dissection of deceased bodies
• Microscopic Anatomy - Examination of tissues under a microscope (histology)
• Developmental Anatomy - The study of embryonic and fetal development (embryology)
• Clinical Anatomy - The study of anatomical structures in relation to clinical practice
• Surface Anatomy - Study of anatomical structures as they relate to the surface of the body (topographic)
• Radiographic Anatomy - Study of anatomical structures using imaging techniques like plain X-rays, CT scans (computed tomography), and MRIs (magnetic resonance imaging)
• Endoscopy - Examination of internal organs using an endoscope
• Sectional Anatomy - Studying the body through cross-sectional imaging like CT and MRI
• Comparative Anatomy - Comparing anatomical structures across different species

Regional versus Systemic Anatomy

• Regional Anatomy - Focuses on specific regions of the body, like the head, neck, trunk or limbs
• Systemic Anatomy - Focuses on the structure and function of specific organ systems, like the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, cardiovascular, lymphatic, endocrine, digestive, respiratory, or urogenital systems

Anatomical Position

• Standard reference point for anatomical descriptions
• The body is upright, eyes looking forward
• The upper limbs are hanging by the side, palms facing forward, fingers straight
• Lower limbs are parallel, feet together, toes pointing forward

Anatomical Planes

• Sagittal Planes - Vertical planes that divide the body into right and left portions
  • Midsagittal (Median) Plane - Divides the body into equal right and left halves
  • Parasagittal (Paramedian) Planes - Parallel to the midsagittal plane, dividing the body into unequal right and left halves
• Coronal (Frontal) Plane - Vertical planes perpendicular to sagittal planes, dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts
• Transverse (Axial) Planes - Horizontal planes dividing the body into upper and lower parts

Anatomical Directional Terms

• Anterior/Ventral/Rostral - Towards the front of the body
• Posterior/Dorsal - Towards the back of the body
• Palmar - Anterior surface of the hand
• Plantar - Sole of the foot
• Superior/Cephalic/Cranial - Towards the head
• Inferior/Caudal - Towards the feet
• Median - At the midline of the body
• Medial - Closer to the midline of the body
• Lateral - Closer to the side of the body
• Proximal - Closer to the origin or root of a structure
• Distal - Further away from the origin or root of a structure
• Intermediate - Between two points
• Ipsilateral - On the same side of the body
• Contralateral - On the opposite side of the body
• Superficial - Near the surface of the body
• Deep - Away from the surface of the body
• External - Outside an organ or cavity
• Internal - Inside an organ or cavity

Anatomical Terms of Movement

• Flexion - Bending a joint, moving a part forward (movement on the transverse axis)
• Extension - Straightening a joint, moving a part backward (movement on the transverse axis)
• Plantar Flexion - Bending the foot downwards, like pointing your toes
• Dorsiflexion - Bending the foot upwards, like pulling your toes towards your shin
• Abduction - Moving a part away from the midline of the body or reference line (movement on the anteroposterior axis)
• Adduction - Moving a part towards the midline of the body or reference line (movement on the anteroposterior axis)
• Medial Rotation - Rotating a part towards the midline of the body (movement on the vertical axis)
• Lateral Rotation - Rotating a part away from the midline of the body (movement on the vertical axis)
• Circumduction - Moving a part in a circular path (movement involving multiple axis)

Explore the foundational concepts of anatomy, including the relationships of human body structures. This quiz covers various methods such as cadaveric, microscopic, and clinical anatomy, along with imaging techniques like MRI and CT scans.