Anatomy Terminology Quiz

Introduction to Human Anatomy

• Course: Anatomy 120
• Semester: Autumn 2024
• Instructor: Dr. Sara S. Elmegarhi
• Department: Anatomy and Embryology
• University: University of Tripoli

Anatomy

• Greek meaning: to cut in
• Latin meaning: dissection
• Scientific definition: Study of the structure, function and relationship of different parts of the body to each other
• Types (Subdivisions):
  • Macroscopic (Gross) Anatomy: Structures visible to the naked eye
  • Microscopic (Histology) Anatomy: Structures requiring a microscope for viewing

History of Anatomy

• Ancient science: Prehistoric times, including trephining and Ancient Egyptian preparation of mummies
• First human dissection: Alexandria
• Middle Ages: Arab physicians preserved knowledge (AlBiruni, Ibn Sina, Al Razi)
• Revival (Modern Times): Andreas Vesalius (Father of Anatomy, De Fabrica, 1526)
• Anatomical act: British Parliament (1828) legalizing dissection
• Preservatives: Formalin

Anatomy Approaches and Branches

• Basic Anatomy: Minimal structure & function needed for understanding the body's overall structure and function
• Approaches:
  • Regional Anatomy: Organised by regions
  • Systemic Anatomy: Organised by organ systems
• Branches:
  • Surface Anatomy: structures observed or palpated on the skin's surface
  • Radiographic, sectional, and endoscopic anatomy: structures visualized through imaging techniques
  • Clinical Anatomy: Practical application of anatomy knowledge for diagnosis and treatment
  • Developmental Anatomy: Embryology (general and special)

Descriptive Anatomic Terms

• Importance for medical personnel: accurate communication
• Enables national and international communication about abnormal functions of joints, actions of muscles, alteration of organ position, or location of swellings/tumors.

Anatomical Position

• Upright posture
• Palms and toes directed forward
• Arms adjacent to the body, palms forward
• Lower limbs close together, feet parallel
• Gravity causes downward shift of internal organs (viscera)

Anatomical Planes

• Median (Sagittal): Vertical plane through the body's center, dividing it into equal right and left halves
• Paramedian: Parallel to median plane, divides body into unequal right and left parts
• Coronal (Frontal): Imaginary vertical plane at right angles to the median plane
• Horizontal (Transverse): At right angles to both the median and coronal planes

Terms Describing Location (Direction)

• Anterior/Posterior: Front and back of the body
• Ventral/Dorsal: Anterior and posterior (especially for body cavities – relate to the front and back of the body)
• Palmar/Dorsal: Front and back of the hand
• Plantar/Dorsal: Bottom and top of the foot
• Proximal/Distal: Related distance from the trunk of the body
• Superficial/Deep: Related distance from the body's surface
• Superior/Inferior: Upper and lower parts of the body
• Internal/External: Inside versus outside structures/organs inside a cavity

Anatomical Variations

• Anatomy describes the body as usually seen, but variation within the normal range is common, found in less than half of the individuals.
• Understanding variations is crucial for physical examinations, diagnoses, and treatments.

Terms Describing Movement

• Joint: Where two or more bones meet
• Types of Joints:
  • Immovable (sutures in the skull)
  • Slightly movable
  • Freely movable (shoulder joint)
• Movements (planes):
• Flexion/Extension: Sagittal plane (bending/straightening)
• Lateral Flexion: Coronal plane (side-to-side bending)
• Abduction/Adduction: Coronal plane (movement away/towards the midline)
• Circumduction (combination of several movements)

Types of Body Movements

• (various movements, rotational, etc.)

Anatomical Parts of Body

• Axial part: Parts near the body's central axis (head, neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis)
• Appendicular part: Parts away from the body's central axis (upper and lower extremities)

Body Cavities

• Ventral cavity: Anterior (front) body cavity (thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities)
• Thoracic Cavity: contains lungs and heart
• Abdominal Cavity: contains stomach, intestines, liver, spleen, gallbladder
• Pelvic Cavity: contains urinary bladder, rectum, reproductive organs
• Dorsal Cavity: Posterior (back) body cavity (cranial and vertebral canals)

Clinical Anatomy about Skin

• Skin Infections: Nail folds, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands are common entry points for pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus.

• Paronychia: Infection between nail and nail fold.

• Carbuncle: Infection of a hair follicle/group of hair follicles.

• Sebaceous Cyst: Cyst caused by obstruction of sebaceous duct (often on the scalp).

• Shock: Pale skin, gooseflesh (caused by overactive sympathetic system, vasoconstriction, and arrector pili muscle contraction).

• Skin Burns: Healing rate & method depend on burn depth. Partial-thickness burns heal from follicles, glands, and edge cells, while deeper burns heal more slowly. Deep burns might require skin grafts to reduce contracture risks.