Types of Anatomy and Basic Anatomical Terms

Course Objectives
• This Anatomy course was designed to let
the student familiar with the basic
anatomical structure of human body.
• Students will learn what the various
organs of the body do to contribute to
the overall physiology and functions of
the body as well as the interaction
between them.
 Definition
• Anatomy is the study of body structures.
• This branch of science is established by
observations.
• Observation is used to see the sizes and
relationships of body parts.
• Structure determines what functions can
occur; therefore, if the structure changes, the
function must also change.
 Types of Anatomy
• Gross anatomy
– Regional anatomy
– Systemic anatomy
– Surface, developmental, clinical and surgical
anatomy
• Microscopic anatomy
– Cytology
– Histology
– Ultrastructural Anatomy
 Levels of structural
oRganization
• There are six levels of structural organization.
Atoms, elements and organelles (the
chemical level)
• Cell (cellular level).
• Tissues (tissue level)
• Organs (organ level).
• System (system level)
• Living body (organism level).
 Hierarchy of Organization
• Organism
• System
• Organs
• Tissues
• Cells – smallest living thing
• Organelles
• Molecules
• Atoms
 Anatomical Position
• Standing erect, with palms and feet facing
forward.
• Is the standard reference point in which all
positions, movements, and planes are
described.
 Anatomical Directional Terms
• The body is in the anatomical position (erect,
palms facing forward).
• Anatomical directional terms:

- Superior (cranial): above, toward the head.

- Inferior (caudal): below, toward the tail.

- Anterior (ventral): toward the front of the body or

structure.

- Posterior (dorsal): toward rear or back of the body

or structure.
Planes of Section
- Medial: toward the midline of the body or away
from the body surface

- Lateral: away from the midline of the body.

- Proximal: closer to the point of attachment.

- Distal: farther from the point of attachment.

-
- Superficial (external): at or close to the body
surface.
- Internal: below or away from the body surface.
 Body Planes and Sections
• (a) Sagittal section: separates the body
longitudinally into right and left parts.
• (b) Frontal (coronal) section: separates the
body on a longitudinal plane into anterior and
posterior parts.
• (c) Transverse (cross) section: separates the
body on a horizontal plane into superior and
inferior parts.
 Human Body Cavities
• (a) Dorsal cavities: well protected by bones; has
two subdivisions.
• (1) Cranial cavity: contains the brain
• (2) Spinal cavity: contains the spinal cord.
Ventral Cavities: has two subdivisions:
• (1) Thoracic cavity: extends inferiorly to the
diaphragm; contains heart and lungs, which are
protected by the rib cage.
• (2) Abdominopelvic: inferior to the diaphragm that
contains the digestive, urinary, and reproductive
organs. The abdominopelvic cavity is often divided
into four quadrants or nine regions.
Human Body Cavities Location
 Dorsal Body Cavity
• The dorsal body cavity protects organs of
the nervous system and has two
subdivisions. The cranial cavity is the
area within the skull and encloses the
brain. The spinal (vertebral) cavity
encases the vertebral column and spinal
cord.
 The abdominopelvic cavity
The abdominopelvic cavity is often divided into
four quadrants or nine regions:
• Four quadrants: right upper, left upper. Right
lower, and left lower quadrants.

• Nine regions: right hypochondriac, epigastric,

left hypochondriac, right lumbar, umbilical,
left lumbar, right iliac, hypogastric, and left
iliac.
Abdominal Cavities
• Umbilical region: center-most region (belly
button).
• Epigastric region: superior to the umbilical
region (above belly).
• Hypogastric region: inferior to the umbilical
region (pubic area).
• Right and left iliac: (linguinal region)-located
lateral to the hypogastric region.
• Right and left lumbar regions: lateral to the
umbilical region.
• Right and left hypochondriac region: lateral to
the epigastric region.
 Other Body Cavities
• Nasal cavity: is part of the respiratory system.
Located within the nose (and posterior).
• Orbital cavities: house the eyes
• Oral cavity: the mouth, contains the teeth and
gums
• Synovial cavities: surround freely movable
joints and secrete a lubricating fluid like
serous membranes.
 Directions and Regional Terms
Unilateral: Pertaining to one side of the body

Bilateral: Pertaining to both sides of the body

Regional terms:
Cranial on the (skull)
Thoracic on the (chest)
Brachial on the (arm)
Patellar on the (knee)
Cephalic on the (head)
Gluteal on the (buttock)