GENERAL ORIENTATION TO
HUMAN ANATOMY
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1.1 Definition
• The word “Anatomy “derived from the Greek term “anatome” (ana =
apart and tome = cutting). Therefore, anatomy means to cut apart,
divide or dissect
• Human Anatomy is the study of the structure of the human body
and the relationships among structures.
• It clarify normal structures of the body and their interrelationship
• It is basic for any medical discipline
• Anatomy is closely related to physiology, the study of body function
• Although they are studied in separate courses, anatomy and
physiology are truly inseparable, because structure supports function
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1.2 Subdivisions of anatomy
In the 19th century anatomy started to be divided into its
different parts.
Gross (macroscopic) anatomy
is the study of the human body or its parts without the
help of a microscope.
Microscopic anatomy
the study of cells, tissues & organs of the body by the
help of microscope. It includes;
Cytology: study of cells
Histology: study of tissues
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Cont…
Developmental anatomy: anatomy of the structural
changes of an individual from fertilization to adulthood.
it includes embryology & postnatal development.
Other subdivisions:
Applied (Clinical) anatomy:
– emphasizes aspects of bodily structure and function important in
the practice of medicine, dentistry, and the allied health sciences.
– It stresses clinical application.
Surgical anatomy:
– is the study of anatomy in connection with surgical operations and
surgical procedures (e.g. anatomy of surgical incisions, anatomy of
surgical exposures…..).
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Surface anatomy
• is the study of the surface landmarks of the underlying bony points,
muscles and tendons. It is also concerned with drawing on the
surface of the body the course of position of an internal structure
(e.g. surface anatomy of the heart, the lung or the main nerves and
vessels).
Radiological anatomy:
• Is the study of anatomy using radiological techniques e.g. X-rays,
ultrasound, CT scan and MRI to demonstrate the bones or some
internal organs as the heart, lungs, kidneys, stomach and intestine.
Functional anatomy
Descriptive anatomy
Comparative anatomy
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1.4 Approaches of Studying Anatomy
1.4.1 Regional or Topographic anatomy
is the anatomy of certain related parts or divisions of the body
Helps to know structural r/ship of portions of several systems
and for dissections of cadavers.
Recognizes the body's organization by layers:
skin
subcutaneous tissue/ superficial fascia
deep fascia
muscles
Neurovascular structures
skeleton and cavities
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Regional anatomy cont…
Head
Neck
Back
Upper limb
Thorax
Abdomen
Pelvis and perineum
Lower limb
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1.4.2 Systems of the body
an approach to anatomical study organized by organ systems
that work together to carry out complex functions.
it is studying anatomy emphasizes the purposes of various
organs within a system.
The 11 human systems
Integumentary Respiratory
Skeletal Digestive
Muscular Urinary
Nervous Reproductive
Endocrine lymphatic/immune system
Cardiovascular
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1.5 Anatomical Terminology
1.5.1 The Anatomical Position
is a position used as a reference when describing
parts of the body in relation to each other.
allow a standard way of documenting where one part
of the body is in relation to another, regardless of
whether the body is standing, lying down, or in any
other position.
All anatomical descriptions are expressed in relation
to the anatomical position.
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CONT...
In anatomical position:
• Person is erect with the
head, eyes and toes
pointing
forward and facing the
observer.
• The head level & eyes
facing directly anteriorly.
• Arms at the sides with
palms turned forward.
• Feet are close together and
flat on the floor, parallel &
directed forward.
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1.5.2 Anatomical planes
Anatomical descriptions are based on four imaginary planes (median,
sagittal, frontal, and transverse) that intersect the body in the anatomical
position.
1. Median/Midsagittal plane: the vertical plane passing longitudinally
through the body, divides the body into right and left halves. It defines
the midline of head, neck, and trunk where it intersects the surface of
the body.
2. Sagittal planes : vertical planes passing through the body parallel to the
median plane. Parasagital is commonly used term instead of it
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Cont…
3. Frontal (coronal) planes:
vertical planes passing through the body at right
angles to the median plane
divide the body into anterior(front) and posterior(back)
parts
4. Transverse planes:
passes the body at right angles to the median and
frontal planes,
divide the body into superior (upper) and inferior
(lower) parts
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Anatomical planes…
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1.5.3 Term of position and relation
1. Superior - above.
2. Inferior - below.
3. Cranial (rostral, cephalic) - nearer to the head.
4. Caudal - nearer to the tail
5. Anterior - in front.
6. Posterior – behind.
7. Ventral - in the direction of abdomen.
8. Dorsal - in the direction of the back.
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Terms of position….
9. Medial - nearer to the midline.
10. Median - at the median plane
11. Lateral - to the side.
12. Proximal – upper (nearer to origin).
13. Distal – lower( far away from origin).
14. Palmar - on the side of the palm of the hand.
15. Plantar - on the side of the sole of the foot.
16. Superficial - nearer to the body surface.
17. Deep - nearer to the center of the body.
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1.5.4 Terms of Laterality
Bilateral - Paired structures having right and left
members (e.g., kidneys)
Unilateral - on one side only (eg. Liver, spleen)
Ipsilateral - something occurring on the same side of
the body. (eg. Liver and appendix, spleen and heart.
Contralateral - occurring on the opposite side of the
body. (Eg. Liver and spleen)
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1. 5.5 Terms of Movement
Flexion: bending or decreasing the angle b/n the bones
or parts of the body
Extension: straightening or increasing the angle
between the bones or parts of the body
Abduction: moving away from the median plane in the
frontal plane
Adduction: moving toward the median plane in a frontal
plane.
Circumduction: circular movement that is a combination
of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.
Rotation: revolving a part of the body around its
longitudinal axis.
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Terms of movement….
• Pronation : palm of the hand faces posteriorly and its
dorsum faces anteriorly
• Supnation: hand faces posteriorly and the palm faces
anteriorly
• Opposition: the mov’t by which the pad of the thumb is
brought to another digit pad
• Reposition: movement of the thumb from the position
of opposition back to its anatomical position.
• Protrusion: movement anteriorly
• Retrusion: movement posteriorly
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Inversion and eversion
These movements occur in the foot at the subtalar
(talocalcaneonavicular) joint
– inversion: The sole of the foot (its inferior surface) is directed
inwards.
– eversion: the sole is directed outwards.
Other movements:
Elevation:
• moving up
Protraction:
• moving anteriorly
Depression:
• moving down
Retraction:
• moving posteriorly
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1.6 Body Cavities
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Body cavities cont…
Body cavities are spaces within the body that house
internal organs. Bones, muscles, and ligaments separate the
various body cavities from one another.
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/Cavities of Trunk: houses the internal
organs (viscera), and is divided into two subdivisions:
Thoracic and
Abdominopelvic cavity.
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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
The abdominopelvic cavity is separated from thoracic cavity
by the dome-shaped diaphragm.
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Abdominopelvic cavity; 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.
Ventral Body Cavity Membranes
Parietal membrane- lines internal body walls
Visceral membrane- covers the internal organs
Serous fluid- separates the two membranes
- used for lubrication
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2. Structural Levels Of Organization
The human body extend from the smallest body structures
and their functions to the largest structure.
1) Atom [i.e. Carbon (C), Hydrogen (H), or Oxygen(O)] is the
least complex level. Atoms combine with (react with) other
atoms to form molecules.
2) Molecules [i.e. carbon dioxide (CO2), water (H2O)]. A
molecule is a particle composed of 2 or more joined atoms.
Molecules combine with other molecules to form
macromolecules.
3) Macromolecules (i.e. carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic
acids). A macromolecule is a large molecule and it combines
with other macromoleculesAssefatoA. form organelles.
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4) Organelles (i.e. cell membrane, nucleus, ribosome). An
organelle is a small organ of a cell, which performs a
particular function. Organelles collectively compose a cell.
5) Cells (eg. Hepatocytes, enterocytes, neurons, osteocytes…)
The smallest independent units of life
The basic unit of structure and function of living
organisms!
Similar cells are arranged into tissues
6) Tissue (i.e. epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous tssues).
A tissue is a group of similar cells that performs a
specialized function.
Two or more tissues combine to form organ.
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7) Organs (i.e. skin, heart, brain, liver, kidney…).
An organ is a structure consisting of a group of tissues that
performs a specialized function.
Two or more organs combine to form organ system.
8) Organ systems (i.e. respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive...)
An organ system is a group of organs that act together to
carry on a specialized function.
There are 11 organ systems. The eleven organ systems
collectively form the organism.
9) Human organism
An organism is the most complex level of organization
and is defined as an individual living thing.
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THANK YOU
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