Chapter 1: Overview of Human Anatomy
Microscopic
1. Cytology (study of cells)
2. Histology (study of tissues)
Gross
1. Surface: anatomy which can be seen or is marked by some surface structure.
2. Regional: structures which may be part of varied organ systems but lie in a specific region
3. Systemic: anatomy of specific systems such as the digestive system, respiratory system, etc.
(medical, radiographic, surgical)
2. skeletal
3. muscular
4. nervous
5. endocrine
7. lymphatic
8. respiratory
9. digestive
10. urinary
11. reproductive and
Anatomic position and other important language of anatomy
1. prone: lying on ones belly
2. supine: lying on ones back
3. anterior (ventral): toward the front
4. posterior (dorsal): toward the back
5. cranial (cephalic/cephalad): toward the head
6. caudal: toward feet
7. superior: closer to the head than something else
8. inferior: farther away from the head than something else
9. medial: toward the midline
10. lateral: away from the midline
11. proximal: closer to the center of the body or closer to the point of attachment or origin
12. distal: farther away than something that is proximal
13. palmar: the palm surface of the hand
14. plantar: the sole of the foot
15. superficial: toward the exterior of the body
16. deep: toward the inside of the body
Coronal (frontal)
Axial (transverse)
Regional Anatomy
Epigastrium: the region in the midline upper abdomen, often associated with stomach and gastroesophageal reflux pain
Umbilical and peri-umbilical: in the general vicinity of he umbilicus (belly button)
Body cavities (far more than that which is probed when arrested)
Dorsal: Includes the brain and spinal cord
Ventral: Includes the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities
