Introduction to General Anatomy (ANA102)

Introduction to General Anatomy (ANA102)

• Course name: Introduction to General Anatomy (ANA102)
• Instructor: Ramatu Salisu (FUD)

Overview of Anatomy

• Anatomy means cutting up or taking apart.
• Derived from the Greek word "anatome".
• Latin word "disseccare" has a similar meaning.
• Primarily based on dissection of bodies to identify structures.
• The study of anatomy is traditionally based on dissecting cadavers and observing structures with the unaided eye.
• Anatomy and dissection are not synonymous anymore; dissection is just a technique, still important.
• Anatomy has evolved into a field of study based on observation and technique.
• It enables consistent comparison among different biological studies.

Overview of Anatomy (Continued)

• Anatomy is a branch of biological science studying the formation and structure of living organisms (animals, plants, and humans).
• Human anatomy is a branch of medical science focusing on the structure of the human body and the relationships between its parts.
• Physiology is the study of the functions of body structures.

Anatomy Department

• Anatomy provides a framework for various medical disciplines.
• Study of anatomy aids in understanding injury, disease, and death.
• The department typically includes a dissection hall, mortuary, anatomy museum, and histology laboratory.
• Modern anatomy departments should also include embryology labs, neuroanatomy sections, and cyber-anatomy sections.

Study of the Human Body

• Dissection (cutting through) using dead bodies in dissection halls
• Observing live bodies (operations) under various medical procedures
• Microscopic dissection using magnification tools (glasses, microscopes)
• Microscopy (using light and electron microscopes) to study cells, tissues, and organs
• Radiology (using X-rays, ultrasound, magnetic rays) for detailed structural analysis.

Overview of Anatomy (Subdivisions)

• Anatomical terminology is based on ancient Greek and Latin to provide worldwide standards.
• Major subdivisions of anatomy include:
  • Clinical Anatomy (Applied)
  • Neuroanatomy
  • Radiographic Anatomy
  • Comparative Anatomy
  • Sectional Anatomy
  • Pathology
  • Anthropology
  • Macroscopic (Gross/Cadaveric) Anatomy
  • Microscopic Anatomy (Histology)
  • Surface (Topographic) Anatomy
  • Developmental Anatomy (Embryology)
  • Living Anatomy

Anatomy = Ana (Greek) Tome (Greek) – Apart – To Cut

• Dissection = Dissecare (Latin) – To cut apart

The Hierarchy of Structural Organization

• Chemical level: Atoms form molecules.
• Cellular level: Cells and their functional subunits.
• Tissue level: A group of cells performing a common function.
• Organ level: A discrete structure made of more than one tissue.
• Organ system level: Organs working together for a common purpose.
• Organismal level: The result of all simpler levels working in unison.

Regional and Systemic Anatomy

• Regional anatomy studies the body by area (head and neck, brain, thorax)
• Systemic anatomy studies the body by system (integumentary, skeletal)
• Students often use both approaches.

The Integumentary System

• Forms external body covering to protect deeper tissues.
• Synthesizes vitamin D.
• Contains cutaneous receptors (pain, pressure, etc.) and sweat/oil glands.

The Skeletal System

• Protects and supports body organs.
• Provides a framework for muscles.
• Blood cells are formed within bones.
• Stores minerals.

The Muscular System

• Allows manipulation of environment, locomotion, facial expression, maintains posture, produces heat

The Nervous System

• Fast-acting control system that responds to internal and external changes.

The Endocrine System

• Glands secrete hormones, regulating growth, reproduction, and nutrient use.

The Cardiovascular System

• Blood vessels transport blood.
• Carries oxygen/carbon dioxide, nutrients, and wastes.
• Heart pumps blood through vessels.

The Lymphatic System

• Picks up leaked fluid from blood vessels.
• Disposes of debris.
• Houses white blood cells (lymphocytes).
• Mounts attack against foreign substances.

The Respiratory System

• Keeps blood supplied with oxygen and removes carbon dioxide.
• Gas exchange occurs through walls in the lungs.

The Digestive System

• Breaks down food into absorbable unites.
• Indigestible foodstuffs are eliminated as feces.

The Urinary System

• Eliminates nitrogenous wastes.
• Regulates water, electrolyte, and acid-base balance.

The Reproductive System

• Overall function is to produce offspring.
• Testes produce sperm and male hormones.
• Ovaries produce eggs and female hormones.
• Mammary glands produce milk.

Introduction to Anatomy (Position)

• Anatomical position: Person stands erect with feet together and eyes forward; palms face anteriorly with thumbs pointed away from the body.

Terms and Planes in Anatomy

• Regional terms name body areas.
• Axial region is the main body axis.
• Appendicular region refers to the limbs.
• Directional terminology describes locations in the body.

Orientation and Directional Terms

• Superior/Cranial: Towards the head (above)
• Inferior/Caudal: Towards the feet (below)
• Anterior/Ventral: Towards the front (in front of)
• Posterior/Dorsal: Towards the back (behind)
• Medial: Towards the midline
• Lateral: Away from the midline
• Proximal: Closer to the origin of a body part, or point of attachment
• Distal: Farther from the origin of a body part, or point of attachment
• Superficial: Towards/on the body surface
• Deep: Away from the body surface

Orientation and Directional Terms (Continued)

• Ipsilateral: On the same side
• Contralateral: On opposite sides

Regional Terms (Continued)

• Body regions are named for specific body areas (cephalic, frontal, orbital, nasal, oral, mental, cervical, thoracic, sternal, axillary, mammary, abdominal, umbilical, pelvic, inguinal, pubic) and also named based on anatomical limbs.

Body Planes and Sections

• Median (midsagittal): Vertical plane through the body's midline, dividing it into right and left halves.
• Coronal (frontal): Vertical plane at a right angle to the median plane, dividing the body into anterior and posterior parts.
• Sagittal: Vertical plane parallel to the median plane.
• Transverse (horizontal): Plane running horizontally, dividing the body into superior and inferior parts.
• Oblique: Plane that runs diagonally.

Terms of Posture

• Supine: Lying face upward
• Prone: Lying face downward
• Right Lateral: Lying on right side
• Left Lateral: Lying on left side
• Erect: Standing upright
• Lithotomy: Lying on back with legs lifted and separated
• Upside Down: Inverted
• Downward: Inverted

Terms of Position (Additional details)

• Anterior/Ventral: Front of the body
• Posterior/Dorsal: Back of the body
• Intermediate: Between medial and lateral structures
• Superior/Cranial: Towards the head (above)
• Inferior/Caudal: Towards the feet (below).

The Hierarchy of Structural Organisation (Illustration).

• Illustration of the different levels of structural organization in the body (atoms, molecules, cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, organism).

Abdominal Regions and Quadrants

• Nine regions and four quadrants divide the abdominal area (right upper, right lower, left upper, left lower).

MCQs – Multiple Choice Questions (Examples)

• Example questions about the meaning of anatomy, anatomical planes, and body positions.

References

• Cunningham's Manual of Practical Anatomy, Vol. 1
• Grant's Method of Anatomy, 11th Edition
• Vishram Singh, General Anatomy, 1st Edition
• Dr. Archana Rani, Associate Professor, Department of Anatomy, KGMU, UP, Lucknow

Explore the foundational concepts of anatomy in this quiz based on the 'Introduction to General Anatomy' course. Learn about the evolution of anatomical study, the importance of dissection, and the comparison across biological studies. Perfect for students diving into the world of human and biological anatomy.