Introduction to Anatomy

Introduction of Anatomy

• Anatomy is the science of the structure and function of the body.

Objectives of Lecture

• Define Anatomy
• Define the anatomical position
• Describe important planes and sections

The Anatomical Position

• The standard reference position of the body used to describe the location of structures.
• Hands by the side
• Feet together
• Face looking forward
• Mouth closed
• Facial expression neutral
• Palms face forward with fingers straight
• Toes point forward
• Note: Palm & Sole (راحة اليد, راحة القدم)

Anatomical Planes

• A hypothetical plane used to transect the body in order to describe the location of the structure.
• Coronal plane: divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.
• Sagittal plane: divides the body into right and left parts
• Median plane: divides the body into equal right and left halves
• Transverse, horizontal, or axial plane; divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Anatomical Sections

• Longitudinal section: runs length wise or parallel to the axis of the body or any of its parts.
• Transverse section (cross section): are slices of the body or parts.
• Oblique sections: are slices of the body or parts that are not cut along the listed anatomical planes.

Terms of Relationship

• Anterior & posterior: describe the position of structures relative to the 'front' and 'back' of the body
• Anterior: nearer to the front
• Posterior: nearer to the back
• In the trunk (ventral-dorsal)
• In the palm (palmar-dorsal)
• Superior & inferior: describe structures in reference to the vertical axis of the body
• Superior: nearer to the vertex
• Inferior: nearer to the sole
• Medial & lateral: describe the position of structures relative to the median plane
• Medial: nearer to the median plane
• Lateral: away from the median plane
• Proximal & distal: used with reference to the origin or attachment of a structure, particularly in the limbs
• Proximal: nearer to origin
• Distal: away from origin
• Superficial & deep: describe the relative positions of structures with respect to the surface of the body
• Superficial: nearer to surface
• Deep: away from surface
• External & internal: describe the position in relation to the center
• External: away from center
• Internal: nearer to center

Hand

• Parts of the hand include: palm, back, nails, fingers, knuckles, and wrist.

Part of the Hand

• Detailed parts of the hand including index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger, thumb.

Note of the Prefix

• uni=1
• bi=2
• tri=3
• tetra=4
• penta=5
• hexa=6

Terms of Laterality

• Bilateral: paired structure present on both sides (e.g., kidneys)
• Unilateral: unpaired structure present on one side (e.g., spleen)
• Ipsilateral: relating things to the same side of the body
• Contralateral: relating things to the different side of the body

Terms Related to Movement

• Joint: site where two or more bones come together
• Types of joints:
  • No movement (e.g., sutures of the skull)
  • Slight movement (e.g., superior tibiofibular joint)
  • Freely movable (e.g., shoulder joint)

Movements

• Flexion: a movement that takes place in a sagittal plane
• Extension: straightening the joint, usually in a posterior direction
• Abduction: movement of a limb away from the midline of the body in the coronal plane
• Adduction: movement of a limb toward the body in the coronal plane
• Medial rotation: movement that results in the anterior surface of the part facing medially
• Lateral rotation: movement that results in the anterior surface of the part facing laterally
• Supination: palm faces up
• Pronation: palm faces down
• Inversion: movement of the sole of the foot inward (medially)
• Eversion: movement of the sole of the foot outward (laterally)