What is anatomy?
Anatomy includes those structures that can be seen with or without the aid of magnification.
Macroscopic anatomy is the study of structures that can be seen without using a microscope.
Microscopic anatomy (histology) is the study of cells and tissues using a microscope.
Anatomy forms the basis for the practice of medicine because it leads toward an understanding of a
patient’s disease. Anatomy is important for all who are involved in any aspect of patient treatment
that begins with an analysis of clinical signs. The ability to interpret a clinical observation correctly is
therefore the endpoint of a solid anatomical understanding.
Observation and visualization are the primary techniques a student should use to learn anatomy. An
understanding of anatomy requires an understanding of the context in which the terminology can be
remembered.
How can gross anatomy be studied?
The term anatomy is derived from the Greek word temnein, meaning “to cut.” Therefore, the study
of anatomy is linked to dissection.
Anatomy can be studied following two approaches:
1. Regional approach
2. Systemic approach
Regional 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.
e.g., if the thorax is to be studied, all of its structures are examined. This includes the vasculature, the
nerves, the bones, the 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 way.
Benefit: this approach works well if the anatomy course involves cadaver dissection.
Deficiency: this approach falls short when it comes to understanding the continuity of an entire
system throughout the body.
Systemic approach
With a systemic approach, each system of the body is studied and followed throughout the entire
body.
e.g., a study of the cardiovascular system looks at the heart and all of the blood vessels in the body.
When this is completed, the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, and all the nerves) might be
examined in detail. This approach continues for the whole body until every system, including the
nervous, skeletal, muscular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, lymphatic, and reproductive systems, has
been studied.
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,Benefit: this approach fosters an understanding of an entire system throughout the body.
Deficiency: this approach makes it difficult to coordinate an understanding of an entire system
throughout the body with a cadaver dissection or to acquire sufficient detail.
Important anatomical terms
Anatomical position
The anatomical position 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 are by the side
• face is looking forward
• mouth is closed
• facial expression is neutral
• rim of bone under the eyes is in the same horizontal plane as the top of the opening to the
ear
• eyes are open and focused on something in the distance
• 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
• toes point forward
Figure 1.1. The anatomical position.
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, Anatomical planes
There are three groups of planes that pass through the body in the anatomical position:
1. Coronal planes
2. Sagittal planes
3. Transverse, horizontal or axial planes
Figure 1.2. The anatomical position, planes, and
terms of location and orientation.
Coronal planes
Coronal planes are oriented vertically and divide the body into anterior and posterior parts.
Sagittal planes
Sagittal planes also are oriented 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
Transverse, horizontal, or axial planes divide the body into superior and inferior parts.
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