Introduction to Anatomy History

Introduction to Anatomy

• Anatomy's roots are Indo-European.
• The Greek term for anatomy is "anatome", meaning "dissection".
• Latin equivalent is "anatomia"; Old French as "anatomie".
• English uses "anatomy".
• The intricate nature of the human body makes it a mysterious subject.
• Dissection is crucial for understanding human anatomy
• Dissection utilizes touch and sight for better understanding.
• Anatomy studies the structure of the body (normal).
• It includes the form, position, size, and relationship of body structures in a healthy state.

History of Anatomy

• Hippocrates (1600 BC) provided basic understanding of musculoskeletal structures.
• Much of Hippocrates' work relied on speculation.
• Galen compiled knowledge from previous writers.
• Galen's work advanced understanding of organ function through vivisection on animals.
• The 16th century marked a shift in anatomy.
• Mondino de Liuzzi and Alessandro Achillini were pioneers in dissecting cadavers.
• Public anatomical demonstrations became common.

The Rebirth of Anatomy

• Andreas Vesalius challenged Galenic doctrine.
• Vesalius's treatise "De humani corporis fabrica" detailed major body organs.
• Vesalius obtained permission to dissect human bodies.
• Andreas Vesalius's work was improved upon by Columbus.
• Columbus corrected work on bone anatomy, heart cavities.
• Columbus correctly detailed the pulmonary artery, aorta, and heart valves.

Further Developments in Anatomy

• Leonardo da Vinci noticed abnormalities in dissected corpses.
• Giovanni Morgagni is considered the father of modern pathology.
• Marcello Malpighi used microscopes in anatomy and histology.
• Malpighi studied the skin and brain's cerebral area.
• Antonie van Leeuwenhoek used single lenses.
• Leeuwenhoek achieved high magnification (40-270 diameters).
• Leeuwenhoek observed protozoa.

Advancements in the 20th Century

• Anatomy progressed to encompass histology & developmental biology.
• 20th-century radiological advances connected anatomy & physiology.
• Anatomy linked with biochemistry, genetics, & biophysics.
• Radiological advances form the basis of successful imaging.
• Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) revolutionized sectional anatomy.

Branches of Anatomy

• Anatomy has expanded to include various fields.
• Gross anatomy studies visible structures with the naked eye.
• Developmental anatomy details intrauterine development stages from fertilization to birth.
• Histology studies minute structures invisible to the naked eye.
• Cytology examines body cells.
• Comparative anatomy studies animal anatomy using a human ancestry framework.
• Pathological anatomy investigates disease conditions.
• Functional anatomy links structure with function.
• Anthropological anatomy compares the anatomy of different races.
• Surface/Superficial anatomy studies easily visible anatomical landmarks.

Anatomical Orientations and Terms

• Anatomical orientations use imaginary planes through the body.
• Standard anatomical position: standing upright, feet planted, facing forward, arms hanging with palms forward.
• Sagittal/median plane divides the body into left and right halves.
• Coronal/frontal plane divides the body into front and back halves.
• Transverse/cross plane divides the body into upper and lower halves.
• Oblique plane cuts across the body in an angle.
• Directional terms: cranial/superior/rostral, caudal/inferior, anterior/ventral, posterior/dorsal, medial, lateral.
• Proximal, distal, superficial, deep, ipsilateral, contralateral, external/internal.

Embryology and Prenatal Development

• Embryology studies embryo formation and development.
• Embryology extends from conception to birth as an infant.
• Prenatal period: Starts with zygote formation (fertilization of oocyte by sperm); marks the beginning of human development.
• Morula is the stage where 16 blastomeres form a solid mass of cells.
• Blastocyst: Morula develops a cavity.
• Embryo: Cells develop into an inner cell mass (embryoblast) .
• Embryonic development continues until 2 weeks, when a bilaminar embryonic disc forms .
• Foetus is the period following the embryonic stage.
• Post-natal stage: changes occurring after birth.
• Infancy: First year after birth
• New-born: first two weeks after birth.

Child Development & Puberty

• Childhood lasts approximately up to 12-13 years of age (approximately 15 months to 12-13 years).
• Puberty: age 12-15 (girls) and 13-16 (boys), secondary sexual characteristics develop.
• Adolescence period: 3-4 years following puberty; extends from the emergence of sexual maturity to the completion of physical, mental, and emotional maturation.