What is the branch of science that deals with the study of the structure of the body?
Anatomy
Anatomy also involves the relationship among structures.
Name the seven subdivisions of anatomy.
- Gross anatomy
- Microscopic anatomy
- Systemic anatomy
- Regional anatomy
- Pathological anatomy
- Topographical anatomy
- Physiological anatomy
Each subdivision focuses on different aspects of anatomical study.
What does gross anatomy study?
Structures that can be studied without using a microscope
It uses only the unaided eye.
What is the focus of microscopic anatomy?
Structures that can only be studied using a microscope
It includes cytology and histology.
Define cytology.
Chemical and microscopic study of cells
It is a branch of microscopic anatomy.
Define histology.
Microscopic study of the structure of tissues
It is also a branch of microscopic anatomy.
What does systemic anatomy study?
Specific systems of the body, such as the nervous or respiratory system
It does not consider the region.
What is the focus of regional anatomy?
A specific region of the body, such as the head or chest
It does not consider the system.
What is pathological anatomy?
Study of structural changes associated with disease
It can range from gross to microscopic changes.
Define topographical anatomy.
Study of surface forms
It uses identifiable surface markings to locate deeper structures.
What does physiological anatomy study?
Functions of the parts of the body and how they work
It focuses on the functionality of anatomical structures.
What is the anatomical position?
Subject stands erect, facing the observer, with feet flat, arms at sides, and palms forward
This standard position allows for clear directional terms.
What is bilateral symmetry?
Both sides of the body (right and left) are the same
Ideally, the body should exhibit bilateral symmetry.
What are the multiple cavities of the body?
- Cranial cavity
- Spinal cavity
- Thoracic cavity
- Ventral cavity
- Abdominal cavity
These cavities are separated and created by body walls.
The Cranial Cavity is part of which larger cavity?
Dorsal cavity
Formed by the cranial bones and contains the brain.
What does the Spinal Canal contain?
Spinal cord and roots of the spinal nerves
Formed by the vertebrae of the backbone.
How many vertebrae are in an adult’s vertebral column?
26 vertebrae
An infant has 33 vertebrae.
What is the Thoracic cavity also known as?
Superior portion of the ventral body cavity
Contains the pleural cavities, mediastinum, and pericardial cavity.
What does the mediastinum contain?
The heart
It is the broad, median partition between the pleurae of the lungs.
What are the two subdivisions of the abdomino-pelvic cavity?
- Superior abdominal cavity
- Inferior pelvic cavity
Subdivided by a line drawn across the right and left anterior iliac spines.
What is the peritoneal cavity?
Between the visceral peritoneum and the parietal peritoneum
It is located in the abdominal wall.
True or false: The pelvic cavity is part of the ventral cavity.
TRUE
The pelvic cavity is located within the ventral cavity.
