Introduction to Anatomical Terms & Planes

Introduction to Anatomical Terms & Planes

• Anatomy is the science that studies the structure of the human body.
• It forms the basis for the entire field of medicine.
• Medical terminology is based on anatomical study.
• The definition of anatomy comes from Greek roots: "ana" (up) + "tome" (to cut) = cutting up.

Subdivisions of Anatomy

• Gross (cadaveric) anatomy: Studying the structure of parts from embalmed dead bodies.
  • Can be studied regionally (like upper/lower limbs, thorax, abdomen, head, neck, brain)
  • Or systemically (like skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive systems).
• Living anatomy: Studying structures in living humans.
  • Methods include inspection, palpation, auscultation, endoscopy (like bronchoscopy, gastroscopy), and radiology (like X-rays, ECG).

Histology/Microscopic Anatomy

• This is the study of tissues using a microscope.

Embryology (Developmental Anatomy)

• This is the study of prenatal developmental changes.

Neuroanatomy

• This involves studying the structure and organisation of the nervous system.

Topographic Anatomy (Surface Anatomy)

• It centers on the relationship between deep body parts and the skin's surface.

Radiographic & Imaging Anatomy

• It uses techniques like plain or contrast radiography, and CT scans to study the body.

Applied (Clinical) Anatomy

• This is the practical application of anatomical knowledge to medical and surgical practices.

Descriptive terms

• Anatomical position: The standard reference point for describing body parts.
  • Standing upright, with eyes forward.
  • Arms at the sides, palms facing forward.
  • Feet together.
• Directional terms:
  • Superior/Inferior (Cranial/Caudal)
  • Anterior/Posterior (Ventral/Dorsal)
  • Medial/Lateral
  • Proximal/Distal
  • Superficial/Deep
  • Internal/External
  • Ipsilateral/Contralateral
• Body Positions:
  • Supine
  • Prone
  • Lithotomy

Body planes and sections

• Planes are flat surfaces used to divide the body into sections.
  • Median (Mid-sagittal) plane divides the body into right and left halves.
  • Sagittal plane is parallel to the median plane.
  • Coronal plane is perpendicular to the sagittal plane, dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) halves.
  • Transverse plane is at right angles to both sagittal and coronal planes, dividing the body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) sections.

Terms describing movements at joints

• Flexion
• Extension
• Abduction
• Adduction
• Rotation (medial/lateral)
• Circumduction
• Protrusion
• Retraction

Terms Related to Muscles

Origin - point of attachment Insertion - point of attachment Belly - contractile part of the muscle Tendon - noncontractile part of the muscle. Aponeurosis - a sheet of tendons.

Terms related to nerve supply

• Motor (efferent) nerves: Involved in initiating movement.
• Sensory (afferent) nerves: Involved in perceiving sensations.
• Peripheral Nervous System (PNS): Includes cranial nerves and spinal nerves, and the autonomic nervous system.
• Central Nervous System (CNS): Comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Terms related to vessels

• Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart (exceptions exist: umbilical artery, pulmonary artery).
• Veins carry deoxygenated blood towards the heart.
• Arterioles are smaller branches of arteries.
• Venules are small vessels that collect blood from capillaries.
• Capillaries are minute vessels connecting arterioles to venules.
• Anastomoses are communication pathways between neighboring vessels.

Terms used for describing bone features

• Elevations: Tubercle, tuberosity, condyle, epicondyle, malleolus.
• Depressions: Fossa, groove, notch.
• Openings: Foramen, canal.
• Cavities: Sinus.

Basic tissues of the Body

• Cells are the fundamental structural and functional units of the human body.
• Examples of cells include epithelial cells, muscle cells, neurons, connective tissue cells, cartilage cells, and bone cells

Tissues

• Tissues are groups of cells with similar structure and function.
• There are four main types of tissues: epithelial, connective, muscular, and neural.
  • Specialized connective tissues also include bone, cartilage, and blood

Organs

• Organs are formed by different types of basic tissues to carry out specific functions.
  • Examples include the heart, kidney, and lungs

Organ systems

• Organ systems are groups of organs that work together to perform specific functions.
  • Examples include the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems; and the urinary system.
  • The digestive system breaks down food, the urinary system eliminates wastes.
  • The urinary system filters waste from the blood and excretes it in urine.
  • The digestive system processes food, absorbs nutrients, and eliminates waste through the feces.

Explore the fundamental concepts of human anatomy with this quiz. Understand the various subdivisions of anatomy, including gross, living, and microscopic anatomy. Test your knowledge on medical terminology and the study of structures in the living and deceased body.