FIRST

LECTURE

Introduction to Anatomy
Repetition is the Mother of Learning
Immerse yourself into the language of
Anatomy

Dr Gulam Anwer Khan

Associate professor
Department of Anatomy
 Introduction to Anatomy
Learning objectives:
1. Define the word “ANATOMY” and learn its
subdivision.
2. Why understanding human anatomy is essential to
the sciences of medicine.
3. Historical perspective of main contributors to the
science of human anatomy
4. Describe the anatomical position
5. Describe different anatomical terms of position
and different anatomical planes
6. Explain the terminology associated with movement
7. Describe the body regions and cavities
8. Briefly review the organization of the body
9. List systems of the body
 HISTORY OF ANATOMY

“The past is not dead history, it is

living material out of which man
builds for the future”.
Rene Dubos (1901-1982)
 GRECIAN PERIOD
HIPPOCRATES(460-377BC)
Greek physician
Father of Medicine
His name is memorialized in the
Hippocratic oath
Humoral theory :
Four body humors –
-blood .
-phlegum -
-yellow bile -
-black bile
Attributed diseases to natural causes .
His work was imperical as no
dissection was allowed
 GRECIAN PERIOD
ARISTOTLE(384-322BC)
Greek philosopher, zoologist,
renowned teacher, writer.

wrote the first ever account

of embryology –
-heart development
-named aorta
-differentiated .
arteries and veins

Erroneous views – eg. Heart

not brain was the seat of
intelligence
 GRECIAN PERIOD
HEROPHILUS (about325BC)
Great teacher of anatomy in
Alexandria
performed -vivi-sections
(dissections of living humans)
- -dissections of human
cadavers
regarded brain as seat of
intelligence
described cerebrum, cerebellum ,
fourth ventricle
first to identify nerves as sensory
or motor.
He is credited with the discovery
of ovum
 ROMAN PERIOD
CLAUDIUS GALEN(AD132-201)
best physician since Hippocrates
- Prince of Physicians .
most influential writer on medical
subjects
theorized on many medical
subjects like anatomy ,
physiology , pathology ,
symptomatology and treatment
identified veins and arteries
containing blood
For 1500 years his writings were
unquestionable .
He studied the functions of
kidneys & spinal cord.
 Middle ages (Medieval Period)
• After the fall of Roman empire.
• Anatomy became stagnant in Christian
Europe.
• Flourished in islamic world.
• The Arabs had Galen in high regards.
• Hunayn ibn Ishaq translated 129 of Galen
works into Arebic
• The Canon of Medicine was very influential
through islamic world and was most
authoritative book on Anatomy
 RENAISSANCE PERIOD

Period characterised by rebirth of science

lasted from 14th century through 16th century
It was a transitional period from the middle
ages (referred to as Dark ages) to the modern
ages of science.
Canon remained the most important text book
on Anatomy
Series of authors dissected cadavers
 RENAISSANCE PERIOD
LEONARDO DA VINCI (AD1452
– 1519)
great Italian genius
Painter, sculptor, architect,
musician, anatomist engineer
observed dissections on
cadavers
Anatomical sketches (500
diagrams )published in 1898.
Originator of cross sectional
anatomy
First to describe moderator
band of Right ventricle.
 SIXTEENTH CENTURY
VESALIUS(1514- 1654)
Born in brussels
Professor of anatomy at the
University of Padua in Italy
His work De humani corporis
fabrica written in 7 volumes
revolutionised the teaching of
anatomy
Challenged hundreds of Galen’s
erroneous concepts
chose not to have his name
attached to the parts of body he
desribed.
Father of Modern Anatomy
‘Reformer of Anatomy’
 SEVENTEENTH and EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY
WILLIAM HARVEY(1578-1657)
English anatomist
Conducted experiments ‘ on the motion of heart
and blood in animals ‘
Suggested continuous circulation of blood with in
vessels
Demonstrated that blood circulates and does not
flow back and forth through the same vessels
Credited for providing physiological (functional)
orientation to anatomy.
 SEVENTEENTH and EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK ( 1578
-1657)
Improved the
microscope
His many contributions
include-
-development of
techniques for
examining tissues
- description of blood
cells, spermatozoa and
skeletal muscle
 SEVENTEENTH and EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY

MALPIGHII(1628-1634)
Italian anatomist

‘ Father of Histology’

His name is associated with malpighian corpuscles of the

kidney and malpighian bodies of spleen.
 SEVENTEENTH and EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY
JOHN HUNTER (1728-1793)
Surgeon
Versatile scientist
developed Hunterian
museums in London and
Glasgow
His name associated with
Hunter’s canal (adductor
canal)
 SEVENTEENTH and EIGHTEENTH
CENTURY
WILHELM KONARD VON ROENTGEN (1845-1923)
First used X-rays to detect bone fractures and assess extent
of Tuberculosis
GREGORY JOHANN MENDEL (1822- 1844)
performed experiments on plant’s hybridization
‘Father of Genetics’
De GRAF : described ovaries
SPALLAN ZANI : showed sperm and ovum
FRANCIS GLISSON :described liver, gall bladder, stomach,
intestine
THOMAS WILLIS : published summary of nervous system
 NINETEENTH CENTURY
ROBERT HOOKE -Coined the term ‘cell’
JEAN BAPTISTE LAMARCK – observed gel like substance
with in the cell
SCHLEIDEN and SCHWANN - put forth the cell theory
RUDOLF VIRCHOW – worked on a book titled ‘cell
pathology’
JOHANNES MULLER – applied physics , chemistry and
psychology to the study of human body
Noted anatomists of this century –
- Astley Cooper
- Georges cuvier
- Meckel
- Henry Gray in 1858 published Gray’sAnatomy;Descriptive
and surgical. At the age of 34 he published second edition
and died of small pox.
 TWENTIETH CENTURY
IMAGING ANATOMY
- Ultrasound
- CT Scan
- MRI
- PET
What is Anatomy?
It’s the Study that deals with the structure and
shape of the Body parts & their relationships to
one another.
• Branches of Anatomy
• Gross: Large structures
• Surface: Landmarks
• Histology: Cells and Tissues
• Developmental: Structures change through life
• Embryology: prenatal development of embryo
ANATOMICAL
SCIENCES :
1. Gross Anatomy : The study of human body with a naked
eyes
2. Microscopic Anatomy ( Histology ) : Study of fine
structure (cell and tissue ) of the human body with the
help of microscope
3. Developmental Anatomy ( Embryology )
4. Radiological Anatomy : Study of body structure using
radiograph and other imaging methods
5. Applied Anatomy: The practical application knowledge
to diagnosis and treatment
6. Surgical Anatomy: Study of anatomical structure in
reference to the surgical diagnosis and treatment
7. Cross sectional Anatomy: Studying the human body
through a transverse cut through a structure or tissue
Approaches to Studying Anatomy
• Three main approaches to study Gross Anatomy
• Regional Anatomy- based on the organization of the
body into parts: head, neck, trunk (further subdivided
into thorax, abdomen, pelvis & perineum, back) and
paired upper and lower limbs. Emphasis is placed on
the relationships of systems in each region.
• Systemic Anatomy- approach organized by organ
systems that work together to carry out complex
functions, respiratory, cardiovascular, muscular,
skeletal, etc.
• Clinical Anatomy encompasses both the regional and
systemic approaches and stresses clinical
applications.
Anatomical Terminology :
“To prevent
misunderstanding a special
set of terms are used to
describe identification and
location of body structures”.
Anatomical position :
The standard position in
which the body assume to
describe its parts .
This position has 4 feature
s:
1- Body is erect
2- Feet parallel
3- Palm facing forward
4- Arms hanging by the side
 • Lying down
Supine with face up
• Dorsal side is
positio down, and
n ventral side is
up

• Lying down with

face down
• Ventral side is
down, and dorsal
side is up
Prone
• With respect to
forearm, prone positi
refers when palm of
hand is directed
posteriorly, and
n
radius and ulna are
crossed
Lithotomy position

• Person is lain on back with

knees bent, positioned
above the hips, and spread
apart through the use of
stirrups

Lateral position
 Terms of Position:

Superior (cranial ,rostral ): near to head .

Inferior (Caudal): away from head.
Anterior ( ventral ): near to front .
Posterior (dorsal) : near to back.
Medial : near to median plane
Lateral : away from median plane
Proximal : near to trunk
Distal : away from trunk
Superficial : near to skin (surface)
Deep : away from skin

*Intermediate: the relative location of an

anatomical structure lying between two
other structures:
ANATOMICAL PLANES &
SECTIONS
Sagittal (median):
- A cut made along a longitudinal plane
dividing the body into 2 equal halves
(right & left).
- The plane passing through the midline
of the body, cutting the body into the
right and left equal halves is called a
midsagittal or median plane.
Parasagittal (paramedian):
- divides the body into 2 unequal parts
(right & left).
Frontal (coronal):
- A cut made along a longitudinal plane.
- divides the body into anterior &
posterior parts
Transverse (cross):
- A cut made along a horizontal plane.
- divides the body into superior & inferior
parts.
 Planes of Section Through an
Organ
• Longitudinal: cut
along the length of
an organ
• Cross/Transverse:
cut at right angle to
length of the organ
• Oblique: cut at any
but a right angle
Terms of Regions:
Cranial (cephalic)
Cervical
Thoracic
Abdominal
Pelvic
Plantar
Palmar
 Body Cavities
There is two sets of internal cavities
which are ventral and dorsal .
Ventral Body Cavity: divided by the
diaphragm into:
1. Thoracic Cavity: superior to
diaphragm (above the diaphragm),
contains heart & lungs.
2. Abdominal cavity: inferior to
diaphragm (below the diaphragm)
contains stomach, intestine, liver,
urinary bladder, etc…
Dorsal body cavity: divided into 2 parts
continuous with each other:
1. Cranial cavity: space inside skull,
contains brain.
2. Spinal cavity: space inside vertebral
column, contains spinal cord.
Ventral Body Cavity Membranes

• Parietal serosa:
– Lines internal body walls
• Visceral serosa:
– Covers internal organs
• Serous fluid:
– Separates serosae
 Serous Membranes
• Cover organs of trunk cavities & line cavity
• Inner balloon wall- represents visceral serous membrane
• Outer balloon wall- represents parietal serous membrane
– Cavity between two membranes filled with lubricating serous fluid that is
produced by the membranes
 Serous Membranes: Named for
Their Specific Cavities and Organs

• Pericardium- heart
• Pleura- lungs and
thoracic cavity
• Peritoneum-
abdominopelvic
cavity
 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
Abdominopelvic Regions

• The Abdominopelvic
area is divided into 9
regions by 2 vertical
& 2 horizontal lines
or planes.

• Objective: To locate
the different organs
in each region.
Organization of the Body
Terms Related to Movement

Flexio • Movement in sagittal plane

• decreasing the angle between 2 parts

n
• Example- elbow joint (anterior movement),
knee joint (Posterior movements)
 Extension Lateral flexion

• Straighten the joint • Movement of trunk in

• increasing the angle coronal plane
between 2 parts
• Usually takes place in
posterior direction
Abduction & adduction

• Movement of limb
away and toward
from midline of body
• In coronal plane
 • Movement of a part of
Rotatio body around its long
n axis

• Movement that results

Medial in anterior surface of
rotation part facing medially

• Movement that results

Lateral in anterior surface of
rotation part facing laterally
Pronation Supinatio
of n of
forearm forearm
Medial rotation of Lateral rotation of
forearm in such a forearm from
manner that palm of pronated position
hand faces so that palm of
posteriorly hand comes to
face anteriorly
Circumduction
• Combination in
sequence of
movements of flexion,
extension, abduction,
and adduction
Protraction
• To move forward

Retraction
• To move backward
• Describe forward and
backward movement
of jaw at
temporomandibular
joints
Inversion
• Movement of foot so that sole
faces in a medial direction

Eversion
• Opposite movement of foot so
that sole faces in a lateral
direction
Movements at Thumb
Movements at Shoulder
A 20-year-old woman severely sprains her
left ankle while playing tennis. When she
tries to move the foot so that the sole
faces medially, she experiences severe
pain. What is the correct anatomic term
for the movement of the foot that
produces the pain?
(a) Pronation
(b) Inversion
(c) Supination
(d) Eversion
 PLANES,
TERMS OF
POSITION &
TERMS OF
MOVEMENT
Orientation Lines
i. The midsternal line passes through
the midline of sternum.
ii. The midclavicular line passes through
the midpoint of the clavicle.
iii. The anterior axillary line corresponds
to the anterior axillary fold.
iv. The midaxillary line passes through
the midpoint of the base of the axilla.
v. The posterior axillary line
corresponds to posterior axillary fold.
vi. The scapular line passes through the
inferior angle of the scapula.
vii. The nipple lies 4th intercostal space
10cm from mid sternal line.
viii. Apex beat left 5th intercostal space
9cm from midsternal line
 Systems of the Body

1. Integumentary
2. Skeletal
3. Muscular
4. Nervous
5. Cardiovascular
6. Respiratory
7. Lymphatic
8. Endocrine
9. Digestive
10. Urinary
11. Reproductive
Integumentary system
Skeletal system
Muscular System
 Muscular system
Types and functions of muscles
Cardiovascular system
Lymphatic system
provides for drainage of
surplus tissue fluid and
leaked plasma proteins to
the bloodstream and for
removal of cellular debris
and infection.
Respiratory System
Nervous system

63
Digestive System
Endocrine System
Urinary and Reproductive System
References :
 References
Keith L. Moore, Arthur F Dalley; Clinically Oriented
Anatomy- 8th Edition, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007.

Susan Standring; Gray's Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis

of Clinical Practice 41st edition, Churchill Livingstone
2004.

Richard S. Snell; Clinical Anatomy By Regions- 8th Edition,

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2008.
Thank you