Introduction to Anatomy

Learning outcomes

▪ Explain the different components of Anatomy

▪ Describe the normal anatomical position
▪ Describe anatomical positions and body planes
▪ Explain commonly used anatomical terms
▪ Describe the organizational levels of the human
body
Anatomy is the discipline where structure of the body is
studied.
▪ Gross anatomy: Study of the body structures visible to the
naked eye
▪ Microscopic anatomy (histology): Study of the microscopic
structure of the cell, tissues and organs
▪ Developmental anatomy (Embryology): Study of
developmental process which takes place from fertilization
to intra-uterine development of organ systems
▪ Neuroanatomy: Study of the structure of the nervous
system
Gross anatomy
System based anatomy:
Regional Anatomy:
Study of the body structure based
Study of the body
on the functioning systems
structure based on the
▪ Cardiovascular system
region
▪ Respiratory system
▪ Gastrointestinal system
▪ Head & Neck
▪ Renal system
▪ Thorax
▪ Reproductive system
▪ Abdomen
▪ Musculoskeletal system
▪ Pelvis
▪ Nervous system
▪ Upper limbs
▪ Endocrine system
▪ Lower limbs
▪ Lymphoid system
▪ Haemopoietic system
 Normal anatomical position

▪ Body upright facing forwards

▪ Head straight with a gaze parallel
to the floor
▪ Upper limb by the side of the
body with palms facing forward
▪ Feet together with toes facing
forwards.
▪ Common visual reference point
for describing the relative
locations
Anatomical positions of the body

▪ Supine position: Lying down (recumbent) with face directed

upwards
▪ Prone position: Lying down (recumbent) with face directed
downwards
▪ Lateral recumbent: Lying on one side
Body planes
Anatomical terms Position Description
Anterior Towards the front
(ventral)
Posterior Towards the back
(Dorsal)
Lateral Away from the midline
Medial Towards the midline
Superior Above or higher
Inferior Below or lower
Proximal Closer to the origin
Distal Farther or away from
the origin
Superficial Closer to the surface
Deep Away from the surface
Organization of the body structure

▪ Cardiovascular system
▪ Respiratory system
▪ Gastrointestinal system
▪ Renal system
▪ Reproductive system
▪ Musculoskeletal system
▪ Nervous system
▪ Endocrine system
▪ Lymphoid system
▪ Haemopoietic system
▪ Epithelia
▪ Connective tissue
▪ Muscles tissue
▪ Nerve tissue
Thank you
Dr. Joachim Perera

joachimperera@yahoo.
com