Introduction to anatomy

1. INTRODUCTION TO
ANATOMY. LEC 1
DR KUMWENDA

2. WHAT IS ANATOMY?
 Anatomy –the study of the structure of the body and the physical
relationships between systems.
 Physiology –the study of how body systems work, and the ways in which
their integrated activities maintain life

3. DIVISIONS OF ANATOMY
1. GROSS ANATOMY - Is also called macroscopic anatomy or topographical
anatomy - Is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by the naked
eye (without the aid of magnification)
2. HISTOLOGY (Histos = tissues, logia = study) - Is also called microscopic
anatomy - Is the study of tissues of the body using a microscope - Despite the
complexity of the human body, it has 4 main basic tissues: epithelial,
connective, muscle and nervous - The study of individual cells is called
cytology.

4. CONT’
3. Embryology (Greek; embryon = unborn, embryo. Logy = study) - Also
called developmental anatomy - Is the study of prenatal development of
gametes (sex cells), fertilization, and development of embryos and fetuses -
Additionally, it encompasses the study of congenital disorders that occur
before birth, known as teratology

5. IMPORTANTANCE OF LEARNING
ANATOMY
• Anatomy forms the basis for the practice of medicine
• It is the cornerstone of studying medicine
• It is the anchoring course for all other courses in medicine
• Anatomy leads the physician towards an understanding of a patient's
disease whether he or she is carrying out a physical examination or using the
most advanced imaging techniques

6. HOW IS ANATOMY STUDIED?
Anatomy can be studied following either
1. Regional approach or
2. Systemic approach
• With a regional approach, each region of the body is studied separately and all
aspects of that region are studied at the same time
For example, if the Thorax is to be studied, all of its structures are examined
• This includes the vasculature, the nerves, the bones, the muscles and all other
structures and organs located in the region of the body defined as the Thorax
After studying this region, the other regions of the body (i.e. the Abdomen, Pelvis,
Lower Limb, Upper Limb, Back, and Head and Neck) are studied in a similar
fashion

7. Cells: Cells are smallest functional units of the body. They are grouped
together to form tissues
Tissues: The tissues of the body consist of large numbers of cells and they
are classified according to the size, shape and functions of the cells.
Membrane.
Membranes are sheets of epithelial tissue and their basement that cover or
line internal structures or cavities

8. ANATOMICAL POSITIONS

9. • The anatomical position is the standard reference position of the body used
to describe the location of structures
• The body is in the anatomical position when standing upright with feet
together, hands by the side and face looking forward
• The mouth is closed and the facial expression is neutral

10. ;,
Anterior/Posterior • Anterior (or ventral) and posterior (or dorsal) describe the
position of structures relative to the 'front' and 'back' of the body respectively -
For example, the nose is an anterior (ventral) structure whereas the vertebral
column is a posterior (dorsal) structure.
Medial/Lateral
• Medial and lateral describe the position of structures relative to
the median sagittal plane and the sides of the body
• For example, the thumb is lateral to the little finger
• The nose is in the median sagittal plane and is medial to the eyes, which are
in turn medial to the ears

12. SUPERIOR/INFERIOR
• Superior and inferior describe structures in reference to the vertical axis of
the body
• For example, the head is superior to the shoulders and the knee joint is
inferior to the hip joint
PROXIMAL//DISTAL
• Proximal and distal are used with reference to being closer or farther from a
structure's origin, particularly in the limbs
• For example, the hand is distal to the elbow joint

14. CRANIAL/CAUDAL, ROSTRAL
• Cranial (towards the head) and caudal (towards the tail) are
sometimes used instead of superior and inferior respectively
• Rostral: is used, particularly in the head - Describes the position of a
structure with reference to the nose - For example, the forebrain is rostral to
the hindbrain

15. SUPERFICIAL/DEEP
• Two other terms used to describe the position of structures in the body are
superficial and deep
• These terms are used to describe the relative positions of two structures
with respect to the surface of the body
• For example, the sternum is superficial to the heart and the stomach is deep
to the abdominal wall

16. SUPINE/PRONE Position
• Supine position: this refers to the position of the body lying on its back •
Prone position: this of the body lying face downwards

17. Hand
• Palmar surface- anterior aspect of the hand • Dorsal surface- posterior
aspect of the hand Foot
• Plantar surface- the inferior surface of the foot • Dorsal surface- the superior
aspect of the foot

18.  EVERSION/INVERSION

19. BODY
CAVITIES

20.  Dorsal cavity protects the nervous system, and is divided into two
subdivisions
 Cranial cavity is within the skull and encases the brain
 Vertebral cavity runs within the vertebral column and encases the spinal cord
 Ventral cavity houses the internal organs (viscera), and is divided into two
subdivisions: - Thoracic and Abdominopelvic cavities

22.  Thoracic cavity is subdivided into pleural cavities, the mediastinum, and
the pericardial cavity
 Pleural cavities – each houses a lung
 Mediastinum – contains the pericardial cavity, and surrounds the remaining
thoracic organs
 Pericardial cavity – encloses the heart

23.  The abdominopelvic cavity is separated from the superior thoracic
cavity by the dome-shaped diaphragm
 It is composed of two subdivisions
 Abdominal cavity – contains the stomach, intestines, spleen, liver, and other
organs
 Pelvic cavity – lies within the pelvis and contains the bladder, reproductive
organs, and rectum

24. Ventral Body Cavity Membranes
 Parietal serosa lines internal body walls
 Visceral serosa covers the internal organs
 Serous fluid separates the serosae

26. Other Body Cavities
 Oral and digestive – mouth and cavities of the digestive organs
 Nasal –located within and posterior to the nose
 Orbital – house the eyes
 Middle ear – contain bones (ossicles) that transmit sound vibrations
 Synovial – joint cavities

27. Abdominopelvic Regions

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