Introduction to Anatomy

Anatomical Terms & General Anatomy

Learning Outcomes
• Definition and branches of Anatomy
• Significance of Anatomy in various fields
• Anatomical position of body
• Anatomical planes
• Terms to describe locations
• Anatomical terms of motion
• Overview of Osteology, Chondrology & Arthrology
Definition & Branches
• Human Anatomy: Study of Structure of human being. Generally it refers to
Gross Anatomy i.e, Study of macroscopic structure
• Histology: Refers to microscopic anatomy i.e, Study of cells and tissues using a
microscope.
• Embryology/ Developmental Anatomy: Study of developing human.
• Radiological Anatomy
• Clinical/ Applied Anatomy
• Surgical Anatomy
• Surface Anatomy
Importance of Anatomy
• Like a roadmap of human body which is essential to understand for
safe practice in
• Clinical application
• Radiology
• Anesthesia
• Dermatology
• Physiotherapy
And so forth
Anatomical
Position of Body
• It is the standard reference
position of body used to describe
the location of structure.
• It is describes as a person standing
upright with eyes and face
forward, arms by the side with
palms facing forwards and feet
together.
Anatomical
Planes
• Median/ Median Sagittal: Vertical plane
dividing body into right and left halves
• Sagittal: Any plane parallel to median plane
• Coronal/Frontal: Vertical plane dividing
body into anterior and posterior halves
• Transverse: Horizontal plane dividing body
into superior and inferior parts
Terms to describe
locations
• Ventral / Anterior
• Dorsal / Posterior
• Medial
• Lateral
• Superior / Cranial / Cephalic / Upper
• Inferior / Caudal / Lower
• Proximal
• Distal
• External / Superficial
• Internal / Deep
Terms of Laterality
• Ipsilateral; relationship between two structure present on same side of body
• Contralateral; relationship between two structure present on opposite side of body
• Unilateral; one side of body
• Bilateral; Both sides of body
Anatomical terms of motion
Osteology
• Study which deals with bones and cartilages
• Classification of bones:
1. Based on development : membranous e.g, clavicle , cartilaginous e.g, bones of face ,
membrano-cartilaginous e.g, mandible.
2. Based on evolution : Exoskeleton e.g, skull/ teeth dentine, endoskeleton e.g, humerus
3. Based on Region : Axial e.g, hyoid , appendicular e.g, upper & lower limb bones.
4. Based on structure : Compact e.g, long bones , spongy e.g, ends of long bones
5. Based on shape and size : Long e,g. femur , short-long e.g, phalanges , short e.g, carpal
bones , flat e.g, skull bones , irregular e.g, hip bone.
6. Based on ossification center : bones having single center e.g, zygomatic bone, Bone
made of multiple centers e.g, temporal bone.
Features of bones
• Smooth articular surfaces: Head, facet, trochlea, fossa
• Irregular depressions on non articular areas: Sulcus/groove, notch, hiatus, fovea
• Projection on non articular surfaces: process, spine, ramus, tubercle, tuberosity,
ridge, crest, epicondyle, horn
• Plate: lamina, squama
• Hole/ aperture: foramen, canal, meatus, fissure
Chondrology
• Study of cartilage
• Types of cartilage:
• Hyaline cartilage ; most abundant, e.g, articular areas of bones at synovial joints
• Firbocartilage ; e.g, intervertebral discs
• Elastic cartilage ; Rare, e.g, some laryngeal cartilages
Arthrology
• Study of joints
• Types of joints: Based on
nature of connective tissue;
A. Solid joints:
a. Fibrous (synarthroses)
b. Cartilagenous
(amphiarthroses)
A. Cavitated joints
(diarthroses) : synovial joints
Types of synovial joints
• Based on complexity of
organization: simple, compound,
complex
• Based on degree of freedom of
movement: sliding movement,
rocking/rolling/swing movement,
circumductory movement.
• Based on morphology: plane –
sliding movement, hinge – uniaxial
– to and fro, pivot - rotation,
condylar – biaxial, saddle – biaxial,
ball & socket - multiaxial.