University of Gondar CMHS

Department of human anatomy

by Dagnew G. (Bsc., MSc. In Human

anatomy )

06/14/2023 by dagnew 1
 Chapter I
Introduction to Human Anatomy

06/14/2023 by dagnew 2
 Lecture Outline

Definition of Anatomy
 Divisions of Anatomy
Approaches of studying anatomy
Levels of structural organizations
 Anatomical positions
Body plan and section
Anatomical terminologies
Body movement
Body cavity and membrane

06/14/2023 by dagnew 3
 Learning objectives

At the end of this unit, students will be able to:

 Define what Human Anatomy mean?
Describe about division of anatomy

Identify approaches to study anatomy

Describe the different levels of structural organization of the body

Define what anatomical position mean?

Identify the different types of body planes and sections

 Identify anatomical terminologies

Describe the different types of body movements

Differentiate body cavity and membrane

06/14/2023 by dagnew 4
 DEFINITION OF ANATOMY

 The word “Anatomy” is derived from two Greek terms

(Ana = apart and Tome = cutting).
 Therefore , anatomy means to cut apart or to dissect.

 Anatomy is a branch of science that deals with structure

of the human body and the relation of its parts to each
other.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 5
 SUBDIVISIONS OF ANATOMY
Generally anatomy is divided into three:
1. Gross /Macroscopic Anatomy: deals with structures that
can be seen without using a microscope.
2. Microscopic Anatomy: deals with structures that are too
small and can be seen by the help of a microscope
It has two sub divisions
Cytology- the study of cells
Histology- the study of tissues
3. Developmental Anatomy- development of human body
from fertilization to adulthood.
 Embryology - study of development from the fertilized
egg to birth.
06/14/2023 by dagnew 6
 OTHER APPLIED FIELDS OF ANATOMY

 Pathological Anatomy: the study of structural changes

caused by disease.
 Pathology: is the study of diseases.
 Surface Anatomy: study of the form (morphology) and the
surface markings of the body.
 studies structures that are located on the surface.
 Radiological anatomy: the study of internal body structures
by the help of X-ray and other imaging technique.
 Surgical anatomy: applied anatomy in reference to surgical
diagnosis and treatment.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 7
 APPROACHES TO STUDYING ANATOMY

1. Regional anatomy

 Deals with several systems located in a particular region

of the body.
o limb (upper and lower)
o Back …
 Used mostly in dissection room and useful to physicians
and surgeons

06/14/2023 by dagnew 8
 Anterior view posterior view

Human body is divided in to 8

major parts:
1. Head 5. abdomen
2. Neck 6. Pelvis/Perineum
3. Back 7. Lower Limb

4. Thorax 8. Upper Limb

Figure. Major parts of the body

06/14/2023 by dagnew 9
 2. Systemic Anatomy

Studies specific systems of the body.

Classification is based on function (structures that have
a common function studied together)

There are about 11 systems in the human body

6.Urinary system
1. Nervous system
7.Respiratory system
2. Lymphatic system
8. Digestive system
3. Cardiovascular system
9. Skeletal system
4. Endocrine system
10. Muscular system
5. Reproductive system
11. Integumentary system

06/14/2023 by dagnew 10
 Levels of structural organization of human body

 The human body has many levels of structural complexity:

1. Chemical level
 At its simplest level, the body is composed of atoms.
-the most common elements in living body are C, H, O, N, S and P.
 Atoms unite to form molecules
- proteins, carbohydrates, fats and nucleic acids (DNA, RNA)
are abundant molecules in our body.
 These molecules are building blocks of the structures at
cellular level.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 11
2. Cellular level
Cells are the basic structural and functional unit
of an organism. E.g. muscle cell, nerve cell
Cells have three principal parts
oPlasma (cell) membrane
oCytoplasm
oNucleus
3. Tissue level
Tissues are made up of many similar cells that
perform a particular function.
4 basic types of tissues:
epithelial
muscle
connective &
nervous tissue.
Eg. smooth muscle tissue is made up of millions
of smooth muscle cells

06/14/2023 by dagnew 12
4. Organ level
 Organs are structures that are composed of
two or more different tissues that have
specific functions.
 usually have recognizable shape.
Eg., Stomach is made of all type of tissues
5. System level
 A system- consists of several related organs
that have a common function.
e.g. Digestive system –contain different
types organ which is responsible for
breakdown and absorption of food.
6. Organism level
 Organism is the result of all of the simpler
levels working in union to sustain life.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 13
 Anatomical Position
 It is a common visual reference
point, used to describe parts and
location of body structures.
 In anatomical position:
 the subject is standing erect
and facing the observer
 Head, eyes, and toes are
directed anteriorly
 arms are by the sides
 palms are directed forward
 lower limbs together with the
feet directed anteriorly.
06/14/2023 by dagnew 14
 Body Planes and sections

 Body planes are imaginary

planes that divide the body in
to sections.
 This helps for further
identification of specific
areas.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 15
Types of body plane
1. Sagittal – divides the body into
right and left parts
• Midsagittal or median – sagittal
plane that lies on the midline
2. Frontal or coronal – divides the
body into anterior and posterior parts
3. Transverse or horizontal– divides
the body into superior and inferior
parts
4. Oblique – cuts the body
diagonally

06/14/2023 by dagnew 16
 Slices of the body along these
planes are known as sections
and correspondingly named as

1. Sagittal /Median section

2. Frontal or coronal section

3. Horizontal, transverse or
cross section

4. Oblique section

06/14/2023 by dagnew 17
 Anatomical terminologies
(terms of position and relation)

 Are standard directional terms which are used by health

professionals and anatomists to explain exact location of one
body structure in relation to another.
 Describe the relationship of parts of the body
 Compare the position of two structures relative to each other

 Anatomical terminology is less wordy and confusing.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 18
 Directional terms
 Superior –
toward the head
 Inferior – away
from the head
 Anterior –
toward the front
of the body
 Posterior –
toward the back
of the body
 Medial – toward
the midline of
the body

06/14/2023 by dagnew 19
 Directional Terms…..
 Lateral – away from
the midline
 Intermediate –
between a more
medial and lateral
structure
 Proximal – closer to
the origin of the body
 Distal –farther from
the origin of the body
 Superficial – toward
the body surface
 Deep –away from the
body surface
06/14/2023 by dagnew 20
06/14/2023 by dagnew 21
 Terms of movements
1.Flexion: indicates bending or decreasing the angle b/n bones
or body parts.
2.Extension: indicates straightening or increasing the angle
between body parts.
3.Abduction: means moving the limb away from the median
plane (upper and lower limbs).
4. Adduction: means moving the limb toward the median plane
(upper and lower limbs).
5. Medial or internal rotation: brings the anterior surface of
the limb closer to the median plane.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 22
6. Lateral or external rotation: takes the anterior surface of the
limb away from the median plane.
7. Opposition: is the movement by which the pad of the 1st digit
(thumb) is brought to another digit pad.
8. Reposition: is the movement of the thumb back to its
anatomical position.
9. Protrusion: is the movement anteriorly (forward) as occurs in
the protruding the mandible.
10. Retrusion: is the movement posteriorly (backward) as occurs
in retruding the mandible
11. Protraction and retraction: is the anteriorly and posteriorly
movement of the shoulder.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 23
12. Eversion: moving the sole of the foot away from the median
plane (turning the sole laterally).

13. Inversion: moving the sole of the foot toward the median
plane (facing the sole medially).

14. Pronation: rotating the forearm and hand so that the palm
faces posteriorly and its dorsum faces anteriorly.

15. Supination: rotating the forearm and hand so that the

dorsum of the hand faces posteriorly and the palm faces
anteriorly.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 24
06/14/2023 by dagnew 25
06/14/2023 by dagnew 26
06/14/2023 by dagnew 27
 Body Cavities
 The body cavity - a potential space, which houses the
internal organs(viscera).
 Cavities as potential spaces contain fluid.
 The body contains two major cavity :
o The ventral (anterior)
o The dorsal (posterior) body cavity

1. Ventral cavity- the larger cavity which is located in fronts

of the body and houses the internal organ.
− It is divided into two subdivisions
 Thoracic cavity
 Abdominopelvic cavities

06/14/2023 by dagnew 28
06/14/2023 by dagnew 29
Thoracic cavity

 Houses lung and heart.

 Subdivided into :
– Two pleural cavities – each houses a lung
– Mediastinum – is the portion of tissues and organs
that separates the left and right lung.
It contains the pericardial cavity, esophagus,
trachea and thymus.
Pericardial cavity –encloses the heart

06/14/2023 by dagnew 30
06/14/2023 by dagnew 31
Abdomino-pelvic cavity

 Extends from the diaphragm to the floor of the pelvis.

 It is separated from the thoracic cavity by the dome-
shaped diaphragm
 It is divided into abdominal and pelvic cavity by
imaginary line passing through the upper pelvis.
• 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

06/14/2023 by dagnew 32
06/14/2023 by dagnew 33
2.Dorsal cavity
 is located at the back of the body and protects the central
nervous system.
 It is divided into two major parts;

– Cranial cavity- lies within the skull and contains the brain
– Vertebral cavity - runs within the vertebral column and
encloses the spinal cord

06/14/2023 by dagnew 34
Body membranes
 Body membranes are thin sheets of  tissue that lines body
cavities, cover surfaces, connect, or separate regions,
structures and organs of the body.
 The four kinds of membranes:
 Mucous membrane(mucosa)
 Serous membrane (serosa)
 Synovial membrane and
 Cutaneous membranes (skin)

06/14/2023 by dagnew 35
1. Mucous membranes (mucosa)

 Lines body cavity that opens directly to

the exterior.
 Mucous membranes line the entire
gastro intestine, respiratory , urinary
and reproductive tracts and constitute a
lining layer of epithelium.
 Mucous membranes secret mucous to
prevent dry out and to trap particles.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 36
 2. Serous membrane / serosa
 Double layer membrane that lines
the body cavity
 filled with serious fluid which
lubricates the internal organ.
 It is composed of two layers:
 parietal layer- the outer layer
that lines internal body walls .
 visceral layer- the inner layer
that covers the internal organs

06/14/2023 by dagnew 37
3. Synovial membrane

 A connective tissue
membrane that lines the
cavities of the freely
movable joints.
 Secret synovial fluid that
lubricate articular cartilage
at the ends of bones as they
move at joints.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 38
4.Cutaneous membrane

 Covers exterior surfaces of

the body.
  It is composed of
keratinizing stratified
squamous epithelium.
 It's underlying dermis is
mostly dense connective

tissue.

06/14/2023 by dagnew 39
 Thank you

06/14/2023 by dagnew 40