This document provides an overview of anatomy and histology, including definitions of gross anatomy, histology, comparative anatomy, surface anatomy, developmental anatomy, and radiographic anatomy. It then describes the major anatomical regions of the body and cavities. Key terms used to describe anatomical structures are also defined, such as median plane, coronal plane, and paired directional terms like medial, anterior, and proximal.

1. Anatomy/Histology

2. Anatomy/ Histology
• Gross Anatomy:
Macroscopic study of body parts that can be seen with unaided
eyes.
• Histology (Microscopic anatomy or Microanatomy)
Study of minute structure of body parts that can only be seen with
the aid of microscope
• Comparative anatomy:
Study of similarities and differences in the structure of body parts
i.e Various species of animals
• .

3. Anatomy/ Histology
• Surface Anatomy: (Topographic anatomy)
Study of the deeper part of the body in relation to the
skin surface i.e helpful in clinical practice and surgical
operations.
• Developmental anatomy: (Embryology)
Study of development of animal body from one cell stage to
the period of growth and development.
• Radiographic anatomy:
Study of deeper organs by plain and contrast radiography and
other imaging techniques like CT Scan and MRI.

4. Regional Organization of Human Body
Anatomical regions:
• Head and Neck region.
• Thorax
• Abdomen
• Upper and Lower
extremities
• Cavities of Human
body:
• Cranial cavity
• Thoracic cavity
• Abdominal cavity
• Pelvic cavity

5. Head and Neck region
• Head: uppermost part of the body
• Face: part of head which includes include regions of forehead,
eyes, nose, cheeks and chin.
• Neck: connect the head with trunk.
(trunk refers to combined thorex and abdomen)
Cranial cavity:
Part of the head which is bounded by the bones of skull and
contain the brain.

6. Thorax or Thoracic cavity
• It refers to the chest which is a cage formed by a bony
framework and supporting muscles. The bony cage is also
called thoracic cavity.
• Lungs, trachea and bronchi;
• Heart and major blood vessels,
• Oesophagous,
• Lymph vessels and lymph nodes
• Nerves
 (Thoracic cavity is divided into left and right cavities, each
containing one lung.

7. Mediastinum
• Name given to the space between the lungs
and the structure found there such as heart,
oesophagus and blood vessels.

8. Abdomen
• Abdomen is the anatomical term used for the region of the
trunk which lies below the thorax
• The region of the abdomen divided into two cavities
1. Abdominal cavity
2. Pelvic cavity
Abdominal cavity:
it is separated from the thoracic cavity by a muscular
structure called diaphragm.
Contents:
• Stomach, small and large intestine
• Liver, gall bladder, pancreas and spleen
• Kidney and adrenal gland
• Vessels, nerves, lymphatic and lymph nodes.

9. Pelvic cavity
• Reffers to a funnel shaped cavity which extends from the
lower end of the abdominal cavity. It is bounded by pelvic
bones
Contents:
• Sigmoid colon, rectum and anus,
• Some loops of small intestine,
• Urinary bladder, lower parts of the ureters and urethra.
• Some organs of the reproductive system.

10. Upper and Lower extremities
• Upper and Lower extremities or limbs are attached to the
trunk.
• Upper limbs:
• Two upper limbs ( right and left)
• Arm: Extends from the shoulder to elbow
• Forearm: region b/w elbow and wrist
• Wrist: Area b/w forearm and hand
• Hand: Distal part of the upper limb which comprises the palm
and digits (fingers and thumbs)

11. • Lower limb: Two lower limbs ( right and left)
• Thigh: Region b/w hip and knee joint
• Leg: Region b/w knee joint and ankle.
• Ankle: Junction b/w the leg and foot.
• Foot: The distal most part of lower limb which comprises the
sole and digits (toes)

12. Anatomical Terms
• For precise anatomical description of the mutual relationship
of various structures of the body, following special terms are
used:
1. Body position
2. Body Planes
Body position Body Planes
• Anatomical position Median plane
• Supine position Coronal or frontal plane
• Prone position Horizontal plane
• Lithotomy position Transverse plane

16. e.g. Gynecologic, rectal and urologic surgeries

17. Anatomical planes

18. Anatomical planes
• Median plane: Median or mid sagittal plane refers to the
plane which passes longitudinally through midline
• Paramedian or sagittal plane: Rafer to those planes which
pass vertically through the body either to the right or left of
the median plane
• Coronal or frontal plane: placed at right angle to the median
plane and divide the body into anterior (ventral) and
posterior (dorsal) parts.
• Horizontal plane: Refer to the plane which passes horizontally
across the body (at right angle to both the sagittal and coronal
planes) and divide the body into upper and lower parts.

19. Paired Directional Terms
• Medial verses Lateral: The term medial is used to describe a
structure which is near to the median plane as compared to
the other structure. For example, Heart is medial to lungs.
• Anterior (Ventral) vs Posterior (Dorsal): The term anterior,
the position of a structure which lies near the front of the
body e.g. Sternum is anterior to heart. The term posterior, a
structure which lies near the back of the body.
• Superior vs Inferior: Superior; Structure located near the
head. E.g. skull is near to scapula. Inferior; Structure located
farther from head.
• Superficial vs deep: The term superficial is used for the
structure which is placed towards the body surface
the term deep is used for the structure which is placed inner
to the surface.

20. Special terms used for limbs
• Proximal vs Distal: The proximal end is used for the attached
end of a limb e.g. Humerous bone is proximal to radial bone.
The term distal is used for the structure which is away from
the attached end of the limb e.g. in the lower limb tibia is
distal to femur.
• Flexor vs Extensor surface: Flexor surface refers to anterior
surface of the upper limb and posterior surface of the lower
limb. Extensor is posterior surface of the upper limb and
anterior surface of the lower limbs
• Palmar vs Planter: Plamar; towards palm
Plantar; towards sole of foot