What is Anatomy ? Gross Anatomy | Anjani Mishra

An Introduction to the Anatomy

Written By Anjani Mishra

Anatomy: The word Anatomy is derived from Greek word (Anna+Temnein/ Tomy; Ana means to separate or apart from, tomy means to cut up). It signifies the cutting apart or disassociation of parts of the body. 

Definition: Anatomy is the branch of biological science which deals with the form and structure of an organisms.

Veterinary Anatomy: is the branch of Anatomy which deals with the form and structure of the principal domesticated animals and birds. It also includes wild animals and birds, as well as acquatic animals and birds, even the human being is also a part of Veterinary Anatomy.

Branches of Anatomy :

1. Gross anatomy (Macroscopic anatomy) : deals with the study of form and structure of an organisms with  nacked eye or with hand lens.

2. Histology (Microscopic Anatomy) : deals with the study of form and structure of  an organisms  with the help of microscope. 

3. Ultra-structural Anatomy(Ultramicroscopic) : deals with the study of form and structure of an organisms  with the help of an electron microscope.

4. Embryology/Developmental Anatomy : deals with the study of form and structure of an organisms from the time of fertilization/conception until adulthood.

5. Systematic anatomy : deals with the study of individual system of a body by grouping the   various organs of a particular system.

6. Topographic Anatomy : the term topographic anatomy designates the methods by which the relative positions of the various parts of the body are accurately determined.

7. Applied Anatomy : the concideration of anatomical facts in their relation to surgery, physical diagnosis, and other practical branches is termed applied anatomy.         

8. Surgical anatomy : deals with the site and tissues encountered during the surgical operations. 

9. Radiological Anatomy : is the study of structure based on radiological appearance of tissues or organs with the help of X-rays.

10.           Pathological Anatomy : is the study of structure of abnormal, diseased or  injured tissue.

11. Functional Anatomy (Physiology) : is the study of function of different structures of an organisms.

12. Comparative anatomy : is the description and comparision of the structure of animals and forms the basis for their classification  

    13.     Special Anatomy : is the description of form and structure of a single                     species. 

    14.     Gerontological Anatomy : is the study of effects of aging and of age-related               diseases. It is concerned with the problems of aging. 

                                 Chief methods of study of Anatomy

Three chief methods of study are employed- systematic, topographic, and applied, but the latest method of study is the Regional Anatomy.

Regional Anatomy: is the method of study of Anatomy based on different regions of the animal body(for example, head, neck, trunk, forelimb, hindlimb, and tail), emphasizing the relationship of various systemic structures(for example, muscles, blood vessels, lymph vessels, nerves etc.), with reference to diagnosis and treatment of a disease or injury.

Division of  Systematic Anatomy:

 

Systems	Name of the fields	Chief structures
Skeletal System	Osteology	Bones and Cartilage
Articular System	Arthrology /Syndesmology	Joints
Muscular System	Myology	Muscles
Digestive System	Splanchnology	Stomach and Intestine
Respiratory System		Trachea and Lungs
Urinary System		Kidney, Bladder and Urethra
Male reproductive System		Testes, Epididymis, Penis
Female reproductive System		Ovaries, Uterus, Vagina
Endocrine System		Ductless glands- Pituitary, Thyroid
Nervous System	Neurology	Brain and Spinal cord
Cardiovascular System	Angiology	Heart and Blood Vessels
Lymphatic System		Lymphoid system- Lymphnode
Sensory System	Aesthesiology	Eye, Ear, Nose, Tongue and Skin

Topographic terms

1.       Directional planes:

         (Plane is a surface, real or imaginary, along which any two points can be connected by a  

          straight line) 

a.   Median plane/mid-saggital plane – it is an imaginary plane passing through the body 

cranio-caudally, which divides the body into similar right and left halves. 

    b.   Sagittal/para-median Plane – planes parallel to the median plane are sagittal.

    c.   Transverse/Segmental plane – is at right angles to the median plane and divides the body  

          into  cranial and caudal segments.

    d.  Horizontal/Frontal plane – runs at right angles to the median and transverse planes and    

      thus divides the body or head into dorsal and ventral portions for example : if a cow 

      walks into a lake until the water comes above the chest, the surface of the water  

      represents a horizontal plane in relation to the cow.'

2.       Directional terms:

1. Cranial (cranium : skull) – structure or surface lies towards the head end of the body.
2. Caudal (cauda : tail) – structure or surface lies towards the tail end of the body.
3. Rostral (rostrum : nose) – structures towards nose with respect to parts of the head.
4. Dorsal (dorsum : back) – towards the backbone or vertebral column.
5. Ventral (venter : belly) – towards the belly/abdomen or away from the vertebral column.
6. Medial – towards or relatively nearer to the median plane.
7. Lateral – away from or relatively farther from the median plane (antonym of medial).
8. Palmar – the term uses below the carpus to the aspect of forelimb (plam of the hand).
9. Plantar  – the term uses below the tarsus to the aspect of hind limb (sole of the foot ).
10. Proximal (proximus : near) – express relative distances of parts from the long axis of the                                                  body. Relatively near the main mass or body.
11. Distal (Distantia : distance) – away from main mass or body. Structure that lie at              Distance with the body.

  

 Features of bone

1.  Articular projection :

         a.  Head/Caput – Nearly round, convex articular end. 

         b.  Condyle – A rounded protuberance at the end of a bone forming an articulation.

         c.  Trochlea – A pully like grooved articular surface.

               d.  Facet – A small, smooth and relatively flat articular surface.

2.   Articular depression :

          a.  Glenoid cavity – The socket that receives the head of humerus.

          b.  Glenoid fossa – The fossa of temporal bone that receives the condyle of the    

                                         mandible.

          c.  Cotyloid cavity – The socket (acetabulum) that receives the head of femur.

                d.  Notch – Articular curve or indentation (depression or hollow).

        C.   Non- articular projection :

a.       process – A projection or outgrowth of bone.

b.       Spine – A process in the form of an elongated evevation.

c.       line – A process is small and linear.

d.       ridge – A process is linear and thick and elongated.

e.       Crest – A process is sharp, rough and elongated.

f.       Tubercle – A small rounded rough elevation or eminence on a bone.

g.      Tuberosity – Prominent tubercle, an elevated round process of a bone.  

h.      Trochanter – Excessively developed tubercle.

i.        Epicondyle – Non articular eminece, attached to condyle.

j.        Cornu – Any projection like a horn or horn like process.

        D.  Non – articular depressions :

           a.    Fossa – A shallow depression in the form of blind cavities.

           b.    Fovea – A pit or cup like depression, smaller than fossa.

           c.    Groove  – A long narrow depression.

           d.    Foramen – Perforation of vessels and nerves.

           e.    Canal – Tunnel through more than one bones. 

           f.    Sinuses – Air spaces within the bones of the skull with indirect communication            

                                  to the exterior. 

 

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