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Overview of Anatomy

A. Azami, Ph.D.

Overview of Anatomy• Anatomy – the study of the structure

of body parts and their relationships to one another– Gross or macroscopic– Microscopic– Developmental

Gross Anatomy

• Regional – all structures in one part of the body (such as the abdomen or leg)

• Systemic – gross anatomy of the body studied by system

• Surface – study of internal structures as they relate to the overlying skin

Microscopic Anatomy

• Cytology – study of the cell• Histology – study of tissues

Developmental Anatomy

• Embryology – study of developmental changes of the body before birth

Anatomical terminology• This generally relates to:

– Names of the organ systems or regions– Names of body organs or their parts– Anatomical planes– Anatomical locations

Anatomical planes

Anatomical Planes• Saggital – divides the body into right

and left parts• Coronal or frontal– divides the body

into anterior and posterior parts• Horizontal or transverse (cross

section) – divides the body into superior and inferior parts

Anatomical planes - 1

• Median or mid-saggital plane

• Passing from front to back in the long axis of the body IN the midline.

Anatomical planes - 2• Saggital:

Saggital – divides the body into right and left parts

Saggital plane

Anatomical planes - 3• Coronal or frontal:

divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

Coronal Plane

Anatomical planes - 4• Horizontal or

transverse (cross section) :divides the body into superior and inferior parts

Horizontal Plane

Anatomical positions - 1

• 1. Cranial toward the head • 2. Caudal - toward the feet• 3. Medial - toward the middle• 4. Lateral - toward/from the side• 5. Proximal - toward the attachment

of a limb• 6. Distal - toward the finger/toes• 7. Superior - above• 8. Inferior - below

Anatomical positions - 2

Anatomical movementsFlexion/Extension

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Regional Terms

• Axial – head, neck, and trunk

• Appendicular – appendages or limbs

• Specific regional terminology

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Regional Terms

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Body Cavities• Dorsal cavity protects the nervous

system, and is divided into two subdivisions– Cranial cavity is within the skull and

encases the brain– Vertebral cavity runs within the vertebral

column and encases the spinal cord• Ventral cavity houses the internal

organs (viscera), and is divided into two subdivisions: thoracic and abdominopelvic

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Body Cavities

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End