What is Anatomy?
Anatomy includes those structures that can seen grossly (without the aid of magnification) and microscopically (with the aid of magnification).
The best synonym for "anatomy" depends on what aspect you want to emphasize:
The study of structure in Anatomy:
- Morphology: This refers to the scientific study of the form and structure of organisms.
- Dissection: This specifically refers to the practice of examining internal structures by carefully cutting apart a body.
- Histology: This is the study of tissues at a microscopic level.
- Cytology: This focuses on the structure and function of individual cells.
The physical structure itself:
- Structure: This is a general term for the way something is built or arranged.
- Framework: This emphasizes the supporting elements that give a body its shape.
- Form: This refers to the overall shape and appearance of something.
- Physique: This specifically refers to the human body’s build and form.
- Build: This emphasizes the size and proportions of the body.
- Configuration: This refers to the specific arrangement of parts.
The examination of structure:
- Analysis: This is the process of breaking something down into its parts to understand it better.
- Examination: This is a general term for a close inspection of something.
- Investigation: This suggests a more detailed examination, often to find something specific.
Overview
How can gross Anatomy be studied
Important Anatomical Term
Terms to describe location
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Overview
Typically, when use by itself, the term anatomy tends to mean gross or macroscopic anatomy—that is, the study of structures that can seen without using a microscopic. Microscopic anatomy, also call histology, is the study of cells and tissues using a microscope.
Observation and visualization:
These are the primary techniques a student should use to learn anatomy. Anatomy is much more than just memorization of lists of names. Although the language of anatomy is important, the network of information need to visualize the position of physical structures in a patient goes far beyond simple memorization. Knowing the names of the various branches of the external carotid artery is not the same as being able to visualize the course of the lingual artery from its origin in the neck to its termination in the tongue. An understanding of anatomy requires an understanding of the context in which the terminology can remember.
How can gross Anatomy be studied
How Can Gross Anatomy be studied?
The term anatomy is deriving from the Greek word temnein, meaning “to cut.” Clearly, at its root, the study of anatomy is linking to dissection. Dissection of cadavers by students is now augmenting, or even in some cases replace, by viewing prosect (previously dissected) material and plastic models, or using computer teaching modules and other learning aids.
Anatomy can be studied following either a regional or a systemic approach.
- With a regional approach, each region of the body is studied separately and all aspects of that region are studied at the same time in Anatomy. For example, if the thorax is to be studied, all of its structures are examined. This includes the vasculature, nerves, bones, muscles, and all other structures and organs located in the region of the body defined as the thorax. After studying this region, the other regions of the body (i.e., the abdomen, pelvis, lower limb, upper limb, back, head, and neck) are studied in a similar fashion.
- In contrast, in a systemic approach, each system of the body is studied and followed throughout the entire body. For example, a study of the cardiovascular system looks at the heart and all of the blood vessels in the body. This approach continues for the whole body until every system, including the nervous, skeletal, muscular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, lymphatic, and reproductive systems, has been studied
Important Anatomical Term
Important Terms:
The Anatomical position:
Fig. The anatomical position, planes, and terms of location
The anatomical position in Anatomy is the standard reference position of the body used to describe the location of structures . The body is in the anatomical position when
- standing upright with feet together,
- hands by the side, and
- face looking forward.
- The mouth is closed and the facial expression is neutral.
- The rim of bone under the eyes is in the same horizontal plane as the top of the opening to the ear, and the eyes are open and focused on something in the distance.
- The palms of the hands face forward with the fingers straight and together and with the pad of the thumb turned 90° to the pads of the fingers.
- The toes point forward
Anatomical planes:
Three major groups of planes in Anatomy pass through the body in the anatomical position (Fig.).
- Coronal planes orient vertically and divide the body into anterior and posterior parts.
- Sagittal planes also orient vertically, but are at right angles to the coronal planes and divide the body
into right and left parts. The plane that passes through the center of the body dividing it into equal right and
left halves is termed the median sagittal plane. - Transverse, horizontal, or axial planes divide the body into superior and inferior parts.
Terms to describe location
Terms in to describe location;
- Anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal), medial and lateral, superior and inferior are three major pairs of terms are using Anatomy to describe the location of structures relative to the body as a whole or to other structures
Anterior (or ventral) and posterior (or dorsal)
- describe the position of structures relative to the “front” and “back” of the body. For example, the nose is an anterior (ventral) structure, whereas the vertebral column is a posterior (dorsal) structure.
Medial and lateral
- describe the position of structures relative to the median sagittal plane and the sides of the body. For example, the thumb is lateral to the little finger.
Superior and inferior
- describe structures in reference to the vertical axis of the body. For example, the head is superior to the shoulders.
Proximal and distal, cranial and caudal, and rostral Other terms used in Anatomy to describe positions include proximaland distal, cranial and caudal, and rostral.
Proximal and distal
- are using with reference to being closer to or farther from a structure’s origin, particularly in the limbs. For example, the hand is distal to the elbow joint. These terms are also use to describe the relative positions of branches along the course of linear structures, such as airways, vessels, and nerves. For example, distal branches occur farther away toward the ends, whereas proximal branches occur closer to and toward the origin.
Cranial (toward the head) and caudal (toward the tail)
- are sometimes use instead of superior and inferior, respectively.
Rostral
- is use, particularly in the head, to describe the position of a structure with reference to the nose. For example, the forebrain is rostral to the hindbrain.
Superficial and deep are two other terms use to describe the position of structures in the body are superficial and deep. These terms are using to describe the relative positions of two structures with respect to the surface of the body. For example, the sternum is superficial to the heart.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Anatomy?
Anatomy includes those structures that can be seen grossly (without the aid of magnification) and microscopically (with the aid of magnification).
How can gross Anatomy be studied?
- Regional approach
- Systemic approach
Names of anatomical terms used in Anatomy?
- Anatomical position
- Planes
- Terms of location
Which terms are used in Anatomy to describe location?
- Anterior (or ventral) and posterior (or dorsal)
- Medial and lateral
- Superior and inferior
