ANATOMYo Study of the structure of body parts and

their relationships to each other

o Anatomy: Greek meaning to cut apart

Gross (macroscopic) anatomy:

The study of structures large

enough to be seen with the

naked eye

Regional anatomy: All

the body structures

(muscles, bones, blood

vessels, nerves, etc.)

in a given body

region , such as the

abdomen or leg, are

examined at the same

time

Systemic anatomy: body is studied

system by system

Example: when studying the

cardiovascular system, you would

examine the heart and the blood

vessels of the entire body

Surface anatomy: internal

body structures as they

relate to the overlying skin

Microscopic anatomy: the study of

structures that are too small to be seen with

the naked eye

Cytology: study of individual cells

Histology: study of tissues

Embryology: concerns

developmental changes that occur

before birth

Specialized Branches of Anatomy

Pathological anatomy: study of structural changes associated with disease

Radiographic anatomy: study of internal structures using specialized visualization techniques (X-rays or special scanning devices)

LANGUAGE OF ANATOMY ANATOMICAL POSITION AND DIRECTIONAL TERMSo To describe body parts and position

accurately, we need an initial reference

point and must indicate direction

ANATOMICAL POSITION:

• Person is standing erect or

upright

•Eyes look straight to front

•Upper limbs by the side

with palms of hand facing

forwards

•Feet slightly separated

with toes pointing

forwards

The anatomical reference point

Anatomical Position

NOTE

In anatomical position, right and left refer

to the right and left sides of the person

viewed—NOT those of the observer

In anatomy, anatomical position is always

assumed, regardless of the actual position

of the body

Body Planes and Sections

For anatomical

studies, the body is

often sectioned (cut)

along a flat surface

called a plane

Body planes are flat

surfaces that lie at right

angles to each other

Planes of the body

Coronal Plane (Frontal Plane) - A

vertical plane running from side to

side; divides the body or any of its

parts into anterior and posterior

portions.

o Sagittal Plane - A vertical plane

running from front to back;

divides the body or any of its

parts into right and left sides.

o Transverse Plane - A

horizontal plane; divides the

body or any of its parts into

upper and lower parts.

DIRECTIONAL TERMS

Directional terms are used to explain exactly where

one body part is in relation to another

Example:

○ The ears are located on each side of the

head to the right and left of the noseUsing anatomical terminology, this

condenses to,:

The ears are lateral to the nose

ANATOMICAL TERMSo Superior (cranial or cephalad)Toward the head end or upper

part of a structure or the body; above

o Inferior (caudal)Away from the head end or

toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below

Anterior (ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body;

in front of

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward or at the backside of the

body; behind

Medial

Toward or at the midline of the body;

on the inner side of

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body; on

the outer side of

Proximal: Nearer the trunk

Distal: Away from the trunk

Superficial (external)

Toward or at the body surface

Deep (internal)

Away from the body surface; more

internal

PALMAR or VOLAR:On Or towards palm of the hand

PLANTAR

On or towards the sole of foot

Dorsum:

Uppermost surface of foot

Back of hand

ANATOMIC MOVEMENTSFlexion & Extension

Flexion: approximation of

flexor surface of the adjoining

parts and thus reduces the

angle of the joint.

Extension: approximation of

extensor surface of the

adjoining parts and thus

increases the angle of the

joint.

ANATOMIC MOVEMENTS

Abduction &

Adduction

Abduction: Moving

the part away from

the body

Adduction: Moving

the part towards the

body

Circumduction:

Combination in

sequence of the

movements of

flexion, extension,

abduction and

adduction

Medial & Lateral

Rotation

Medial Rotation:

Inwards rotation

Lateral Rotation:

Outwards rotation

Pronation & Supination of Forearm

Pronation: Rotation of the forearm so that the

palm is turned backwards

Supination: Rotation of the forearm so that the

palm is turned forwards

ANATOMIC MOVEMENTS CONT.

Inversion and Eversion of foot

Inversion :

movement of the sole

of foot in which sole

faces inwards or

medially

Eversion: movement

of the sole of foot in

which sole faces

outwards or laterally

ANATOMIC MOVEMENTS CONT.

Dorsiflexion &

Plantarflexion of

Foot

Dorsiflexion: Upward

flexion of the foot

Plantarflexion:

Downward flexion of

the foot