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Human anatomy is the science which deals with the structure of the human body. The term, 'anatomy', is derived from a Greek word, "anatome", meaning cutting up. The term 'dissection' is a Latin equivalent of the Greek anatome. However, the two words, anatomy and dissection, are n...

Human anatomy is the science which deals with the structure of the human body. The term, 'anatomy', is derived from a Greek word, "anatome", meaning cutting up. The term 'dissection' is a Latin equivalent of the Greek anatome. However, the two words, anatomy and dissection, are not synonymous. Dissection is a mere technique, whereas anatomy is a wide field of study. Anatomy forms firm foundation of the whole art of medicine and introduces the student to the greater part of medical terminology. "Anatomy is to physiology as geography is to history, i.e. it describes the theatre in which the action takes place." Sllll-1>1\'ISIO:\S or ,\:\',\'I O\IY: Initially, anatomy was studied mainly by dissection. But the scope of modern anatomy has become very wide because it is now studied by all possible techniques which can enlarge the boundaries of the anatomical knowledge. The main subdivisions of anatomy are: I. Cadaveric anatomy is studied on dead embalmed (preserved) bodies usually with the naked eye (macroscopic or gross anatomy). This can be done by one of the two approaches: ( ) In 'regional anatomy' the body is studied in parts, like the upper limb, lower limb, thorax, abdomen, head and neck, and brain; (b)ln 'systemic anatomy" the body is studied in systems, like the skeletal system (osteology) (Fig. I. I), muscular system (myology), articulatory system (arthrology or syndesmology), vascular system (angiology), nervous system (neurology), and respiratory, digestive, urogenital and endocrine systems (splanchnology).  M -- I... - - l 1¥ J__ ·- --- T1loo ,..,.,, 2. Living Anatomy is studied by inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation, endoscopy (bronchoscopy, gastroscopy), radiography, electromyography, etc. 3. Embryology (developmental anatomy) is the study of the prenatal developmental changes in an individual. The developmental history is called 'ontogeny'. The evolutionary history on the other hand, is called 'phylogeny'. 4. Histology (microscopic anatomy) is the study of structures with the aid ofa microscope. 5. Surface anatomy (topographic anatomy) is the study of deeper parts of the body in relation to the skin surface. It is helpful in clinical practice and surgical operations. 6. Radiographic and imaging anatomy is the study of the bones and deeper organs by plain and contrast radiography by ultrasound and computerised tomographic (CT) scans.  7. Comparative anatomy is the study of anatomy of the other animals to explain the changes in form, structure and function (morphology) of different parts of the human body. 8. Physical anthropology deals with the external features and measurements of different races and groups of people, and with the study of the prehistoric remains. 9. Applied anatomy (clinical anatomy) deals with application of the anatomical knowledge to the medical and surgical practice. IO.Experimental anatomy is the study of the factors which influence and determine the form, structure and function of different parts of the body. I I.Genetics deals with the study of information present in the chromosomes. B.\SIC TER\ll'\01.0(;u,:s l'SEI) I'\ TIIIS Sl B.JE