This document provides an introduction to human anatomy. It outlines the course objectives, which are to understand basic human body structure, location and function of tissues, and apply this knowledge professionally. Anatomy is defined as the study of the body's structural organization and relationships between organs. There are three main branches: gross anatomy examines visible structures, histology examines structures microscopically, and embryology examines developmental changes. Anatomy can be studied systemically by organ systems, regionally by body parts, through clinical application, or via imaging. Key body systems and their functions are described, as well as anatomical position, planes, and standard terminology used in anatomy.

1. Introduction to Anatomy
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2. Out line
 Course objectives
 Definition of Anatomy
 Fields of Anatomy
 Approaches of studying Anatomy
 Anatomic Position
 Anatomic Plane
 Definition of terms
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3. Objectives of studying Anatomy
At the end of this course you should be able to
 Assess the basic knowledge of human body development
 Analyze basic structure , location and function of body tissues
 Describe knowledge of systemic Anatomy and their relation ship.
 Apply the knowledge you acquire during the course to profession.
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4. Definition
 Anatomy is a branch of Bio medical science that deals with
understanding the structural organization of the human body.
 A visual and descriptive scientific discipline that is concerned with
the structure of human body and the relation of its organs to one
another.
 Anatomy forms the basis for the practice of medicine.
 Anatomy leads the physician toward an understanding of a
patient's disease, whether he or she is carrying out a physical
examination or using the most advanced imaging techniques.
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5. Fields of anatomy
Three major branches
 Gross (macroscopic) anatomy :Concerned with visible structures
that can be studied with out the use of microscope i.e. by the naked
eye.
 Histology(microscopic) anatomy :it employ the use of
microscope to study structures of cells, tissues and organ systems.
 Embryology (developmental) anatomy: is concerned with
morphologic (structural) changes that occur from first day of
conception to death
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6. Approaches of studying anatomy
A. Systemic approach to anatomy
 Organized by organ systems that work together to carry out
complex functions. -there are 11 systems in our body.
B. Regional approach to anatomy- Based on the organization of the
body into parts:
 Head, neck, trunk (thorax & abdomen)
 paired upper and lower limbs.
C. surgical anatomy
D. Clinical anatomy
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7. Approaches of studying anatomy
 Clinical anatomy ;(applied anatomy) emphasizes aspects of bodily
structure and function important in the practice of medicine.
 It incorporates the regional and systemic approaches to studying
anatomy and stresses clinical application.
 Surface anatomy; Surface markings of the body to understand
internal anatomy through visualization and palpation.
 Imaging anatomy; Body structures that can be visualized with
techniques such as x-rays, MRI, and CT scans.
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8. Systemic approach to anatomy
 Each system of the body is studied and followed throughout the
entire body.
 For example, a study of the cardiovascular system looks at the
heart and all of the blood vessels in the body.
 This approach continues for the whole body until every system,
has been studied.
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9. Systems
1.Integumentary system:
 Helps regulate body temperature
 Protect underlying tissue from loosing
water , from bacterial invasion
 Elimination of wastes
 Vitamin D production.
 Protect all internal organs from
damaging agents in external environment
 The skin and its appendages such as hair
and nails.
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10. 2.Skeletal system:
 Support and protect the body
 Assist the body in movement
 House cells that give rise to blood
cells and mineral store.
 All bones and their cartilages and
joints
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11. Contd…..
3.Muscular system: movement ,
posture and heat production
 Mainly skeletal muscle
4. Nervous system:
 Controls and coordinates the
functions of the organ systems.
 CNS and PNS
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12. Contd…..
5. Endocrine system: Regulate body
activities through hormones
 All hormone producing glands and
cells such as pitutary,tyroid and
pancreas
6. Cardiovascular system(CVS)-
 Transport oxygen and nutrients to the
cell
 Carry carbon dioxide and wastes away
from the cells hemostasis
 Disease protection
 Heart and blood vessels
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13. Contd…..
7. Lymphatic and immune system
 Returns protein and lymph to the CVS
 Transport fats from the GIT to the CVS;
 Filter the lymph; produce WBC and
antibody production
 Spleen, thymus glands, lymph nodes and
tonsils
8.Respiratory system: supplies oxygen
,eliminate carbon dioxide, regulate acid base
balance
 The lungs and associated air passage ways
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14. Contd…..
9.Digestive system
 Physical and chemical break down
 Absorption of food ,
 Eliminate solid
Gastro intestinal tract (GIT) and
associated organs such as salivary
glands , liver , GB and pancreas
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15. Contd…..
10.Urinary system-
 Filter blood and subsequently
produce, transport, store, and
intermittently excrete liquid waste
(urine)
 Fluid and electrolyte balance ,
acid base balance and regulate red
blood cells (RBC) production.
 Kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder,
and urethra
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16. Contd…..
11.Reproductive system:
 Reproduce the organism ,hence
maintain the perpetuation of the
species
 Female organs ;ovaries ,fallopian
tubes , uterus and vagina.
 Male organs : the testies
,epididymis ,vas deference
,seminal vesicles ,ejaculatory
ducts and penis
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17. Regional Approach
 Based on the organization of the
body into parts:
 The human body is divided into
several major regions that can be
identified externally.
The principal regions are
 Head and Neck
 Trunk
 Upper limbs and lower limbs
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19. Body cavities
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21. Anatomical position
 This is a standard position used in both anatomy
and clinical medicine.
 All anatomical descriptions are expressed in
relation to one consistent position, ensuring that
descriptions are not ambiguous
 The body is upright, with the legs together and
the feet facing forwards.
 The head is directed forwards
 Eyes looking into the distance.
 The arms are by the side of the body
 Palms facing forwards and the thumbs laterally.
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22. Anatomical position and regions of the body
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23. Anatomical planes
 Anatomical descriptions are based on four
imaginary planes
 Median plane
 Sagittal plane
 frontal, and transverse plane
1. Median plane
 Vertical plane passing longitudinally through
the body.
 Divides the body into right and left halves.
 The plane defines the midline of the head,
neck, and trunk.
 Midline is often erroneously used as a
synonym for the median plane.
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24. Sagittal planes
 Vertical planes passing through the body parallel to the median
plane.
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25. Frontal (coronal) planes
 Vertical planes passing through the body at right angles to the
median plane.
 Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) parts.
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26. Transverse planes
 Horizontal planes passing through the body at right angles to the
median and frontal planes,
 Divide the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts.
 Radiologists refer to transverse planes as trans axial plane .
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28. Terms of Relationship and Comparison
Anatomic terms description example
Superior •Upper or above the
reference point
•Heart is superior to
stomach
Inferior •Lower or below reference
point.
•Stomach is inferior to the
heart.
Medial •Towards the mid line of
the body.
•Fifth digit (little finger) is
on medial side of hand
Lateral •Away from the midline of
the body.
•First digit (thumb) is on
lateral side of hand
Proximal •Towards the reference
point or towards the trunk
•Elbow is proximal to wrist
Distal •Away from the reference
point or away from the
trunk
•Wrist is distal to elbow
Anterior(ventral) •Towards the front •Sternum is anterior to
heart

29. Cont…..
Posterior (dorsal) •Towards the back •Kidneys are posterior to
intestine
Internal(deep) •Away from the surface of the
body
•Humerus is deep to arm
muscles
External(superficial) •Towards the surface of the
body
•arm muscles is superficial to
Humerus
CranialCephalad) •Nearer to the head
caudal •Away from head
visceral •Related to internal organs
parietal •Related to body wall or skin
ipsilateral •Located to same side of the
body
•Right thumb and right grate
toe
contralateral •Located to the opposite side
of the body
•Breast other e.g

30. Cont….
Dorsum •Dorsal surface of hand or
foot
•Veins are visible in
dorsum of hand
Palm •Palmar surface of hand •Skin creases are visible
on palm
Sole •Plantar surface of foot •Skin is thick on sole of
foot
unilateral •Structure occurring on
only one side of the body
• Spleen
bilateral •Paired structures having
right and left members
• Kidneys

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32. Cont…..
Combined terms are also used.
 Superiomedially-superiorly and medially
e.g. heart is superiomedially to kidney
 Infrolateral-superfiorly and laterally.
e.g. kidney is Infrolateral to heart

33. Terms of movement
The movements of the body are described
as follows:
A. Flexion – a movement in the sagittal
plane where
 There is a reduction in the angle between
two parts of the body.
B. Extension – a backward movement in
the sagittal plane
 where there is an increase in the angle
between two parts of the body.
C. Abduction – movement away from the
median sagittal plane.
D. Adduction – movement towards the
median sagittal plane. 33
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34. Terms of movement….Contd
E . Supination – lateral rotation of the
forearm causing the palm to face anteriorly.
F. Pronation – median rotation of the
forearm causing the palm to face
posteriorly.
G. Eversion – movement of the sole away
from the median plane (turning the sole of
the foot outwards).
H. Inversion moves the sole of the foot
toward the median plane (facing the sole
medially).
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WHAT IS ANATOMICAL VARIATIONS?

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Thank you !!!!!