Human Anatomy: Upper Limbs Overview

Course Outline

Introduction to Human Anatomy
Brief history of anatomy
Anatomical terminologies
General overview of the upper limb

Anatomy of Upper Limbs

Shoulder joint and its anastomosis
Axilla
Breast
Brachial plexus
Cubital fossa
Elbow joint and anastomosis
Forearm
Hand

Recommended Texts

Clinically oriented anatomy by Keith Moore and Dailey (latest edition)
Clinical anatomy by Harold Ellis (latest edition)
Gray's anatomy of the Human Body by Henry Gray (latest edition)
Grant's Atlas of Anatomy
A color atlas of human anatomy by McMinn, Hutchings, Pegington, and Abrahams
Frank Netter Colour Atlas

Introduction to Human Anatomy

Human anatomy studies the structure and functions of body parts.
The term "anatomy" originated from a Greek word meaning "to cut up."
Every body structure is adapted for its function.

Disciplines in Anatomy

Macroscopic/Gross/Topographic anatomy
Microscopic/Histology
Developmental/Embryology
Neuroanatomy/Brain and Nervous system

Brief History of Anatomy

Primitive Times
- Believed illnesses were punishments from gods
- First physicians were "witch doctors" resorting to ceremonies.
- Herbs and plants were the first pharmaceuticals (examples: Foxglove for digitalis, leaves chewed to strengthen & slow heart).
Greeks (1200 BC-200 BC)
- Made observations about the human body and disease effects, leading to modern medical sciences
- Believed illness is a result of natural causes.
- Use of massage, art therapy and herbal treatments
- Discovered that diet and cleanliness could prevent disease
- Explained illness through four body humors.
Other Ancient Civilizations (e.g., Egyptians) -Used leeches for bloodletting (draining blood) -Their saliva contained a natural anesthetic, a blood thinner, a vasodilator and an antibacterial agent for wound care
Greece -The Greeks were the first to objectively study the human body
- Many medical terms originate from the Greek language.
Romans (120 AD - 200 AD)
- Claudius Galens, Roman physician, worked as team doctor for gladiators.
- Proved that arteries carry blood and believed blood originated from the liver -Believed in four humors of the body, and their connection to organs.
Renaissance (1452 to 1519) : Leonardo Da Vinci -Artist, painter, philosopher and scientist with interest in human form studied and dissected bodies in secret -Made hundreds of anatomically correct drawings -Saved and analysed bones, preparing models..
Andreas Vesalius (1514-1565) -Was a Barber surgeon. -Got special permission from the Pope to dissect criminals. -First scientist to understand human anatomy -Wrote "de Humani Corporis Fabrica"
William Harvey (1578-1657): -In opposition to religion, he proposed that animals develop from eggs -Studied the circulatory system -Dissected family members before burial -Anatomy Act of 1832 - bodies of poor who were not claimed for burial could be used for anatomy studies.
Grave Robbing -Some medical students raided graveyards or traded corpses for tuition -Body snatchers (resurrectionists) provided corpses for schools
Wealthy ppl’s desire for burial in iron cages, or in concrete, churches built "dead houses" for storage
Our Experience Nowadays -Cadavers bought from mortuaries, considered unclaimed corpses -Debate on the necessity of dissection for medical training

Anatomical Terminology

Internationally recognized system using Greek and Latin
Avoiding ambiguity ensuring smooth communication among health professionals globally

Anatomical Position

Standard reference for describing body structures
Person standing upright, feet together, palms forward, face forward, mouth closed, neutral facial expression
Variations: supine (lying facing upward), prone (lying facing downward)

Anatomical Planes

Imaginary planes for describing structure locations
Median / Sagittal plane (dividing into left and right)
Coronal / Frontal plane (dividing into front and back)
Transverse / Axial plane (dividing into upper and lower)

Terms of Relationships

Describing structures relative to each other
Terms: superficial, deep, medial, lateral, anterior, posterior, superior, cranial, inferior, caudal
Example: The heart is superior (above) to the stomach, the muscles are superficial, the bone is deeper..e.t.c

Terms of Movements

Describing body part movements
Angular movements (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, hyperextension, dorsiflexion, plantarflexion)
- Flexion decreases the angle
- Extension increases the angle
- Abduction moves away from midline
- Adduction moves towards midline
- Hyperextension excessive extension beyond normal
- Dorsiflexion moves toes upward
- Plantarflexion moves toes downward
Circular movements (rotation, circumduction)
- Rotation turning around axis
- Circumduction a combination of movements in a circle.

Special Movements

Movements specific to particular joints
Examples: inversion, eversion, opposition, protraction, retraction, elevation, depression, pronation, supination.
- Inversion - foot turns inward
- Eversion - foot turns outward
- Opposition - touching thumb to another finger
- Protraction - moving part forward
- Retraction - moving part backward
- Elevation - raising a part
- Depression - lowering a part
- Pronation - rotation of forearm causing palm to turn downward
- Supination - rotation of forearm causing palm to turn upward