Introduction to Basic Anatomy (Grade A+)

Summary:

Anatomy is the study of the structure and function of the body, with clinical and basic aspects. It involves understanding terms related to position, movement, joints, and basic structures. The body can be divided into regions based on planes like median sagittal, coronal, and horizontal. Movement terms include flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation, protraction, retraction, inversion, and eversion. Basic structures include the skin with its layers (epidermis, dermis), appendages (nails, hairs, sweat glands), fasciae (superficial and deep), skeletal muscles (origin, insertion, belly, tendon), and joint types (fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial). Ligaments connect structures, while bursae reduce friction. Blood vessels carry and return blood, and the lymphatic system aids immunity. Lastly, bones differ in shape (long, short, flat, irregular, sesamoid), and cartilage types include hyaline, fibrocartilage, and elastic.

Excerpt:

Introduction to Basic Anatomy

Anatomy – is the science of the structure and function of the body
• Clinical Anatomy – focuses on the macroscopic structure and function of the body in relation to medical practice and other health sciences
• Basic Anatomy- provides an understanding of the overall structure and function of the body

Anatomic Position- standing erect with the upper limbs by the side and the face and palms of the hands directed forward
• Median Sagittal Plane- vertical plane passing through the body, dividing it into equal left and right halves
o Paramedian – planes that are parallel to the median and are situated on either side of the median plane
o Medial – structure situated nearer to the median plane
o Lateral- structure that lies farther away from the median plane
• Coronal Planes- imaginary vertical planes that are at a right angle with the median plane
• Horizontal or Transverse Planes- right angles to both the median and coronal planes

Other terms:
o Anterior – front of the body
o Posterior – back of the body
o Palmar- hand (anterior)
o Dorsal- hand (posterior)
o Plantar- foot (lower surface)
o Dorsal- foot (upper surface)
o Proximal – closer to the root of the limbs (for example, the arm is proximal)
o Distal- farther to the root of the limbs (for example, forearm and hand are distal)