Basic anatomy made easy

Basic anatomy

In this article we will look at:

·         what is anatomy

·         description in anatomical terms

What is anatomy?

 It is the study of structure and function of the body

Clinical anatomy is the study of the macroscopic structure and function of the body, it is related to the practice of medicine and other health practices

Basic anatomy is the study of the minimal amount of anatomy; it helps in understanding detailed structures and enable one to communicate with colleagues

Descriptive anatomical terms:

The anatomical position:

·         standard position

·         used in anatomy and clinical medicine

·          it is to describe one body part in relation to other

·         The head should be  directed forward with both eyes looking into the distance

·         the body is upright , legs together and should be  directed forward

·         the palms faced forward with the thumbs laterally

The anatomical planes:

1.      • The median sagittal plane :

·          the vertical plane

·         Passing through the midline of the body from the anterior to posterior.

·         Para median or sagittal plane is parallel to median plane  

      2. • Coronal (or frontal) planes:

·           plane perpendicular to the sagittal plane vertically

      3. • Horizontal or transverse plane:

·          lie at right angles to both sagittal and coronal planes

Terms of Position:

Position/ description

Anterior: In front of another structure

Palmer: In describing hand uses instead of anterior

Posterior: Behind another structure

Dorsal: In describing foot uses instead of posterior

Superior: Above another structure

Inferior: Below another structure

Superficial: Closer to the body surface

Deep: Further away from the body

Medial: Closer to median plane

Lateral: Away from median plane

Proximal: Closer to the trunk or origin

Distal: Further away from trunk or origin

Ipsilateral: Same side of the body

Contralateral: Opposite side of the body

Terms of movement:

Various terms are used to describe movements of the body

Flexion:

·         forward movement in  sagittal plane

·         generally reduces angle at the joint

·         exception are the ankle and shoulder joint which increase the angle

Extension:

·         backward movement in sagittal plane

·         generally increases the angle at the joint

·         exception are ankle and knee joint

Abduction:

·         movement away from the median plane

Adduction:

·         movement toward the median plane

Supination:

·         lateral rotation of the forearm

·         causing the palm to face anteriorly

Pronation:

·         medial rotation of the forearm

·         causing the forearm to face posteriorly

Eversion:

·         turning the sole of the foot outwards

Inversion:

·         turning the sole of the foot inwards

Rotation:

·         movement of part body around its long axis

Circumduction:

·         a combination of flexion , extension abduction and adduction