ANATOMY

1. The branch of science which deals with the study

of the structures of living organisms

2. The scientific study of the structures of organisms

including their systems, organs and tissues

3. The art of separating the parts of an organism an

order to find their position, relations, structure
and function
 BRANCHES OF ANATOMY
(1)GROSS ANATOMY:
The branch of anatomy which deals with the study of the
structures which can be seen through naked eyes, (without
the help of microscope). It is also known as cadaveric
anatomy.
(2)HISTOLOGY:
The study of the structures with the help of a microscope.
It is also known as microscopic anatomy.
(3) EMBRIOLOGY:
It is the study of embryo.
The study of the developmental changes occur in humans from a single cell zygote upto the
development of a complete human being.

(4) SURFACE ANATOMY:

In this branch of anatomy the surface of the human body is
studied in relations to the deeper parts of the body. It gives us the knowledge to locate the
internal parts of the body from the surface. It is also known as topographic anatomy.
(5) COMPERATIVE ANATOMY
The comparison in the anatomy of different species with
one another.

(6) REGIONAL ANATOMY

In this branch of anatomy, the different regios of the body
are studied, like head and neck, thorax and abdomen etc.

(7) SYSTEMIC ANATOMY

The study of the different systems of the body, like
circulatory system, digestive system etc.
(8) CLINICAL ANATOMY
The application of clinical knowledge in clinical practice
for the diagnosis and treatment of different diseases.

(9) GENERAL ANATOMY

In this branch of anatomy, different body tissues,
fluidsand systems etc are studied.
General study of different body parts.

(10) RADIOLOGICAL ANATOMY

The study of the structures of body organs with the help
of radiological or imaging techniques.
 ANATOMICAL TERMS AND POSITIONS

The anatomical terms and positions are used to study the anatomy in an easy and
understandable way. These terms and positions are also used to describe the position and
location of one structure relevant to the other one.

ANATOMICAL POSITION
It is the position of the body in which a person is standing erect with:
Head, eyes and toes directed anteriorly
Arms lying by sides of the body with the palms facing anteriorly.
Lower limbs closed together with the feet parallel.
MEDIAN SAGITTAL PLANE

This is a vertical plane passing through the center of

the body, dividing it into equal right and left halves.

PARAMEDIAN PLANES

Planes situated to one or the other side of the median

plane and parallel to it.
CORONAL PLANES

These planes are imaginary vertical planes at right angle

to the median plane. It divides the body into anterior and
posterior.

HORIZONTAL, OR TRANSVERSE PLANES

These planes are at right angles to both the median and

the
coronal planes. It divides the body into upper (superior)
and lower (inferior) parts.
MEDIAL

A structure situated nearer to the median plane of the

body than another is said to be medial to the other.

LATERAL

Structure that lies farther away from the median plane

than another is said to be lateral to the other.

ANTERIOR

The frontal surface of the body or any organ.

POSTERIOR
The backward surface of the body or an organ.

PALMAR
Anterior surface of the hand which is towards the palm of the hand.

DORSAL
The posterior surface of the hand (the upper surface).
PLANTAR
The lower surface of the foot

DORSAL
The upper surface of the foot

PROXIMAL
Nearer to the root of an organ

DISTAL
Away from the root of an organ
SUPERFICIAL
Closer to the surface of the body

DEEP
Away from the surface of the body

SUPERIOR (Cranial)
Closer to the upper end of the body

INFERIOR (Caudal)
Closer to the lower end of the body

INTERNAL OR INTERIOR
Nearer to the center of an organ or a cavity
EXTERNAL OR EXTERIOR
Away from the center of an organ or a cavity

IPSILATERAL
The two organs situated on the same side of the body are
ipsilateral to each other, for example right arm and right
leg

CONTRALATERAL
The two organs situated on the opposite sides of the body
are contralateral to each other, for example right leg and
left leg.
SUPINE
lying on the back.
When face is projected in upwards direction.

PRONE
The prone position is lying face downward.
When face is projected downwards.

BILATERAL
On the both sides of the body (right and left).

UNILATERAL
Only on one side of the body (right or left).