anatomical position

• dead embalmed (preserved) bodies usually with the naked eye is studied in cadaveric or gross anatomy
• Living Anatomy is studied by inspection, palpation
• developmental history is called 'ontogeny
• evolutionary history on the other hand, is called 'phylogeny'
• Surface anatomy (topographic anatomy) is the study of deeper parts of the body in relation to the skin surface.
• Radiographic and imaging anatomy is the study of the bones and deeper organs by plain and contrast radiography by ultra- sound and computerised tomographic (CT) scans
• Comparative anatomy is the study of anatomy of the other animals to explain the changes in form, structure and function (morphology) of different parts of the human body.
• 8. Physical anthropology deals with the external features and measurements of different races and groups of people, and with the study of the prehistoric remains.
• Applied anatomy (clinical anatomy) deals with application of the anatomical knowledge to the medical and surgical practice
• Experimental anatomy is the study of the factors which influence and determine the form, structure and function of different parts of the body.
• Genetics deals with the study of information present in the chromosomes
• Anatomical position: When a person is standing straight with eyes looking forwards, both arms by the side of body, palms facing forwards, both feet together, the position is anatomical position
• Supine position: When a person is lying on her/his back, arms by the side, palms facing upwards and feet put together, the position is supine position
• Prone position: Person lying on his/her face, chest and abdomen is said to be in prone position
• Lithotomy position: Person lying on her back with legs up and feet supported in straps. This position is mostly used during delivery of the baby
• A plane passing through the centre of the body dividing it into two equal right and left halves, is the median or midsagittal plane
• Plane parallel to median or midsagittal plane is the sagittal plane
• A plane at right angles to sagittal or median plane which divides the body into anterior and posterior halves is called a coronal plane
• A plane at right angles to both sagittal and coronal planes which divides the body into upper and lower parts is called a transverse plane
• Ventral or Anterior is the front of trunk.
• Dorsal or Posterior is the back of trunk
• Medial is a plane close to the median plane
• Lateral is plane away from the median plane.
• Proximal/Cranial/Superior is close to the head end of trunk
• Distal/Caudal/Inferior is close to the lower end of the trunk
• Superficial is close to skin/towards surface of body
• Deep away from skin/away from surface of body
• Ipsilateral on the same side of the body as another structure
• Contralateral on opposite side of body from another structure.
• Invagination is projection inside
• Evagination is projection outside
• Ventral or Anterior is the front aspect
• Lateral is away from midline
• Medial is towards midline
• Dorsal or Posterior is back aspect
• Proximal is close to root of limb, while distal is away from the root.
• Palmar aspect is the front of the palm
• Flexor aspect is front of upper limb.
• Extensor aspect is back of upper limb
• Medial border lies along the big toe or hallux, medial border of leg

  and thigh