Introduction to Anatomy

Anatomy Introduction

• Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body and the relationship of its parts.
• Greek: Ana ("apart") and Tome ("to cut")
• Anatomy is categorized into subtypes:
  • Macroscopic (Gross) Anatomy: Study of body details visible to the naked eye.
  • Microscopic (Histology) Anatomy: Study of fine body tissue structures using a microscope.
  • Developmental Anatomy (Embryology): Study of the sequence of events in human development from fertilization to birth.

Body Positions

• Anatomical Position: Standard position for describing body structures.
  • Standing upright, feet together, arms hanging by the sides, palms forward.
• Supine: Lying on the back, facing upward.
• Prone: Lying on the stomach, facing downward.

Anatomical Planes

• Median (Midsagittal) Plane: Divides the body into equal right and left halves.
• Sagittal Plane: Parallel to the median plane, divides the body into right and left parts.
  • Parasagittal Plane: Sagittal planes not running through the midline.
• Coronal (Frontal) Plane: Perpendicular to the median plane, divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.
• Transverse Plane: Horizontal plane, divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.

Terms of Position

• Superior (Cephalic/Cranial/Rostral): Towards the head.
• Inferior (Caudal): Towards the feet.
• Anterior (Ventral): Towards the front of the body.
• Posterior (Dorsal): Towards the back of the body.
• Medial: Closer to the median plane.
• Lateral: Farther from the median plane.
• Proximal: Nearer to the point of attachment.
• Distal: Farther from the point of attachment.
• Peripheral: Away from the center of the body mass.
• Central: Near the center of the body mass.

Surface Anatomy Terms

• Superficial: Near the surface of the body.
• Deep: Away from the surface of the body.
• Ipsilateral: Same side of the body.
• Contralateral: Opposite side of the body.
• Unilateral: One side.
• Bilateral: Two sides.
• Palmar: Anterior surface of the hand.
• Dorsal: Posterior surface of the hand.
• Plantar: Inferior surface of the foot.
• Dorsal: Superior surface of the foot.

General Terms of Movements

• Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two body parts (bending).
• Extension: Increasing the angle between two body parts (straightening).
• Adduction: Movement towards the midline.
• Abduction: Movement away from the midline.
• Protraction: Moving a part forward.
• Retraction: Moving a part backward.
• Elevation: Moving a part upward.
• Depression: Moving a part downward.
• Rotation: Turning a part around its longitudinal axis.
  • Medial Rotation: Turning towards the midline.
  • Lateral Rotation: Turning away from the midline.
• Circumduction: Circular movement of a limb.

Special Terms of Movements

• Pronation: Medial rotation of the forearm, palm faces posteriorly.
• Supination: Lateral rotation of the forearm, palm faces anteriorly.
• Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot inward.
• Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot outward.

Movements of Thumb and Fingers

• Adduction & Abduction of fingers/toes: spreading or bringing together fingers/toes
• Flexion/Extension/Opposition/Reposition: movements of thumb

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

• Review these questions and answers regarding anatomical positions, planes, and directional terms.

This quiz covers the fundamental aspects of anatomy, including body structures, positions, and anatomical planes. Explore the macroscopic and microscopic study of the body and understand the standard anatomical position. Test your knowledge about the classification and terminology used in anatomy.