IntroductionIntroduction

Dr. Carmen RexachAnatomy 35

Mt San Antonio College

ANATOMY

• the study of body structures

• Literally means “to cut up; to dissect”

De Corporis Humani Fabrica, Vesalius, 1543

Structural hierarchy

Branches

systemic

surfaceregional

Microscopic: histology and cytology

Developmental Anatomy

7 weeks3 months

5 months

Comparative Anatomy

Medical Imaging: Noninvasive methods

sonograms

Computed Tomography

Toxoplasmosis

Anthrax

Taxonomic HierarchyKingdom

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Species

Kingdom: Animalia

• Multicellular• Eukaryotic• Heterotrophic

Phylum: Chordata• Bilateral symmetry• Dorsal, hollow

nerve cord

Subphylum:Vertebrata• Cephalized• endoskeleton with

a vertebral column• closed circulation

Class: Mammalia

• Hair• mammary glands• varied teeth• capable learners• homeothermic,• Internal

fertilization and gestation

Echidna (monotreme)

Order: Primate

• erect posture• stereoscopic vision• bipedal locomotion

Family: Hominidae• Small front teeth and large molars• Upright posture with smaller arms, changes in pelvis,

and changes in feet• Longer thumb for increased manual dexterity• Larger brain, especially frontal lobe• Reduction of facial muscles & flattening of muzzle area

Humans are the only living members of this family!

Australopithecus spp.

Genus + species

• Scientific name = (genus/species) Homo sapiens; means wise human.

General Anatomical General Anatomical TerminologyTerminology

Anatomical descriptions are based on 2 assumptions:

• Anatomical Position– standing or lying on your back, face, palms and

feet forward• The Longitudinal Midline Axis

– Imaginary straight line from top of your head through the rest of your body

– Every structure is positioned in a field surrounding this axis

Three primary anatomical planes

sagittal Frontal (coronal) Transverse (horizontal)

Planes of reference

• para-sagittal = dividing the body into right and left portions (unequal)

• mid-sagittal = dividing the body into right and left halves

• frontal or coronal = dividing the body into front and back portions

• transverse = dividing the body into upper and lower portions

• oblique = dividing the body at an angle other than one of the cardinal planes

Planes of Reference

Ventral Aspect• Cephalic• Facial• Cervical• Thoracic• Sternal• Pectoral• Umbilical• Abdominal• Inguinal• Pubic

– External genitalia

Ventral Aspect• Upper extremity

– Acromial– Brachial– Cubital– Antebrachial– Carpal– Palmar– Pollex

• Lower extremity– Coxal– Femoral– Patellar– Crural– Tarsal– Pes or Pedal– Dorsum– Hallux

Dorsal Aspect

• Cranial• Nuchal• Interscapular• Scapular• Vertebral• Lumbar• Sacral

Dorsal Aspect• Gluteal• Perineal• Femoral• Popliteal• Sural• Tarsal• Calcaneal• Dorsum of

hand• Plantar surface

of foot

Abdominal Regions

Abdominal Quadrants

Directional Terms• Anterior/Posterior • Ventral/Dorsal • Superior/Inferior• Medial/Lateral• Ipsilateral/Contralateral• Proximal/Distal• Superficial/Deep• Internal/External• Central/Peripheral• Visceral/Parietal

Visceral & Parietal

Body Cavities