Introduction to Anatomical Terms & Planes

Introduction to Anatomical Terms & Planes

• Anatomy is the science of human body structure.
• It forms the foundation of medicine.
• Medical terminology is introduced through anatomy.
• The word "anatomy" is derived from Greek words meaning "to cut up".

Subdivisions of Anatomy

• Gross (cadaveric) anatomy involves studying the structure of embalmed dead bodies. This can be done regionally (like upper/lower limbs) or systemically (like skeletal, muscular, nervous, and respiratory systems).
• Living anatomy involves observing and examining living human beings directly or via technology like radiography and endoscopy.

Histology/Microscopic Anatomy

• Histology is the microscopic study of tissues.

Embryology (Developmental Anatomy)

• Embryology examines prenatal developmental changes.

Neuroanatomy

• This is the study of the nervous system's structure and organization.

Topographic Anatomy (Surface Anatomy)

• This involves understanding the relationship between deep body parts and the skin surface.

Radiographic & Imaging Anatomy

• This uses techniques like plain/contrast radiography and CT scans.

Applied (Clinical) Anatomy

• This applies anatomical knowledge to medical and surgical practice.

Descriptive Terms: Position of the Body

• Anatomical position: A person standing upright, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms forward, feet together.
• Supine position: lying on the back, face upward.
• Prone position: lying on the stomach, face downward.
• Lithotomy position: lying on the back with legs raised and supported.

Body Planes and Sections

• Median (midsagittal) plane: divides the body into right and left halves.
• Sagittal plane: parallel to the median plane.
• Coronal plane: perpendicular to the sagittal plane, dividing the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.
• Transverse plane: perpendicular to both sagittal and coronal planes, dividing the body into superior (top) and inferior (bottom) parts.

Terms of Relationship

• Anterior (Ventral): toward the front of the body.
• Posterior (Dorsal): toward the back of the body.
• Superior (Cranial/Cephalic): toward the head.
• Inferior (Caudal): toward the feet.
• Medial: closer to the midline of the body.
• Lateral: farther from the midline of the body.

Terms of Comparison

• Proximal: Closer to the trunk or point of origin.
• Distal: Further from the trunk or point of origin.
• Superficial: Closer to the surface.
• Deep: Further from the surface.
• External: Outside.
• Internal: Inside.
• Central: Near the center.
• Peripheral: Away from the center.
• Ipsilateral: On the same side of the body.
• Contralateral: On the opposite side of the body.

Terms Describing Movements at Joints

• Flexion: Decreasing the angle between bones.
• Extension: Increasing the angle between bones.
• Abduction: Moving away from the midline.
• Adduction: Moving towards the midline.
• Rotation: Movement around a central axis.
• Medial Rotation: Turning the anterior surface of a limb towards the midline.
• Lateral Rotation: Turning the anterior surface of a limb away from the midline.
• Circumduction: Circular movement combining flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction.
• Protrusion: Moving a body part forward.
• Retraction: Moving a body part backward.

Terms Related to Muscles

• Origin: The fixed point of attachment of a muscle on a bone.
• Insertion: The movable point of attachment of a muscle on a bone.
• Belly: The fleshy part of a muscle.
• Tendon: The fibrous part of a muscle that connects the muscle to a bone or other structure.
• Aponeurosis: A broad, flat tendon.

Terms Related to Nerves

• Motor (efferent) nerves: transmit signals from the central nervous system to muscles.
• Sensory (afferent) nerves: transmit signals from sensory receptors to the central nervous system.

Terms Related to Blood Vessels

• Arteries: Carry oxygenated blood away from the heart (except pulmonary and umbilical arteries).
• Veins: Carry deoxygenated blood to the heart.
• Arterioles: Small branches of arteries within the tissue.
• Venules: Small vessels that collect blood from capillaries and merge into veins.
• Capillaries: Tiny blood vessels where exchange of oxygen, nutrients, and waste products occurs.
• Anastomosis: Connections between blood vessels. Blood vessels can also have a singular form of joining.

Terms Used for Describing Bone Features

• Elevations: Projections on bones (e.g., tubercle, tuberosity, condyle, epicondyle, malleolus).
• Depressions: Cavities on bones (e.g., fossa, groove, notch, fovea).
• Openings: Passages through bones (e.g., foramen, canal).
• Cavities: Spaces within bones (e.g., sinus).

Basic Tissues of the Body

• Cells are the functional and structural units of the body. (e.g. epithelial, muscle, nerve, connective, cartilage, bone)

Tissues: Defined

• Tissues: Groups of cells with similar structure and function. (e.g., epithelial, connective, muscular, neural and specialized connective tissues like bone, cartilage, and blood)

Organs: Defined

• Organs: Structures made up of different types of tissues working together to perform specific functions. (e.g., heart, kidney, lungs)

Organ Systems

• Organ systems: Groups of organs that work together to perform specific functions. (e.g., gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular and urinary)

Urinary System Components

• The urinary system is responsible for eliminating waste products from the body.
• Parts include the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra.

Digestive System Components

• Digesting food and absorbing nutrients.
• Includes the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestines, the liver, anus, and rectum.

Explore the foundational concepts of anatomy in this quiz. Dive into the subdivisions such as gross anatomy, histology, and embryology. Understand the significance of these terms in relation to medicine and the human body.