Alexandrian physician, early performer of public dissections on human cadavers, Father of Anatomy
Andreas Vesalius
Considered the Father of Modern Anatomy for his book "De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septem" (Seven Books on the Fabric of the Human Body)
Erasistratus
Best known for his works on human cadavers and his knowledge of the human body, considered the Father of Physiology
Body snatching
Illicit removal of corpses from graves or morgues during the 18th and 19th centuries, cadavers sold to medical schools for anatomy study
The human body is often thought of as a complicated machine. In order for the machine to work, it must have all of its parts but in addition each of these parts must function optimally.
If organs or organ systems are not functioning properly, then the patient is described as having disease.
Anatomy
The study of structures that make up the body and how those structures relate with each other
Subspecialties of anatomy
Gross anatomy
Microscopic anatomy (Histology)
Developmental anatomy
Embryology
Gross anatomy
Studies body structure without microscope
Microscopic anatomy (Histology)
Requires the use of microscope to study tissues that form the various organs of the body
Physiology
The study of how the body and its parts work or function
Anatomy and physiology are studied together to give students a full appreciation and understanding of human body.
Anatomical position
Universally accepted starting points for positional references to the body, subject standing erect and facing the observer, feet together, arms hanging at sides with palms facing forward
Anterior (or ventral) - describes the
front or direction toward the front of
the body. The toes are anterior to
the foot.
Posterior (or dorsal) - describes the
back or direction toward the back of
the body. The popliteus is posterior
to the patella.
Superior (or cranial) - describes a
position above or higher than another
part of the body proper. The orbits are
superior to the oris.
Inferior (or caudal) - describes a
position below or lower than another
part of the body proper; near or toward
the tail (in humans, the coccyx, or
lowest part of the spinal column). The
pelvis is inferior to the abdomen.
Lateral - describes the side or
direction toward the side of the body. The thumb (pollex) is lateral to the
digits.
Medial - describes the middle or
direction toward the middle of the
body. The hallux is the medial toe.
Proximal - describes a position in a limb
that is nearer to the point of attachment
or the trunk of the body. The brachium is
proximal to the antebrachium.
Distal - describes a position in a limb that
is farther from the point of attachment or
the trunk of the body. The crus is distal to
the femur.
Superficial - describes a position closer to the surface of the body. The skin is superficial to the bones.
Deep - describes a position farther from the surface of the
body. The brain is deep to the skull.
A plane is an imaginary two- dimensional surface that passes through the body.
The Sagittal plane is the plane that divides
the body or an organ vertically into right and
left sides.
If this vertical plane runs directly down the
middle of the body, it is called the
midsagittal or median plane.
If it divides the body into unequal right and
left sides, it is called a parasagittal plane or
less commonly a longitudinal section.
The Frontal plane/Coronal planeis the plane that
divides the body or an organ into an
anterior (front) portion and a
posterior (rear) portion.
The Transverse plane is the plane
that divides the body or organ
horizontally into upper and lower
portions.
The dorsal (posterior) cavity and the
ventral (anterior) cavity are the largest
body compartments.
cranial cavity - houses the
brain
the spinal cavity (or vertebral cavity) - encloses the
spinal cord.
abdominal cavity - contains most of the digestive organs
pelvic cavity - contains the reproductive organs
thoracic cavity - contains the heart and lungs, which is located in the mediastinum
thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity - the two main subdivisions of the anterior cavity
diaphragm - forms
the floor of the thoracic cavity and
separates it from the more inferior
abdominopelvic cavity.
abdominopelvic cavity - the largest cavity in the body
A serous membrane (also referred to a serosa) - is one of the thin membranes that cover the