This topic deals with the definition and branches of anatomy available.
Definition
ana – continuous
tomy – cutting
- Continuous cutting is called anatomy .
- Anatomy is the study of structure and relationship among structures .
- Anatomy was first studied through dissection of cadavers so it is called cadaveric anatomy.
Branches of anatomy
- Cadaveric anatomy
- Living anatomy
- Surface anatomy
- Topographic anatomy
- Developmental anatomy
- Histology
- Cytology
- Physical anthropology
- Radiographic anatomy
- Pathological anatomy
- Applied anatomy
- Dental anatomy
- Comparative anatomy
- Veterinary anatomy
Cadaveric anatomy – Also called macroscopic or gross anatomy. It is studied on dead bodies.
It is divided in two parts –
- Regional anatomy – study of specific regions of the body. Ex- head or chest
- Systemic anatomy – study of specific systems of the body. Ex- skeletal system(osteology), muscular system (myology), etc.
Living anatomy- Studied on living organisms.
Ex- Inspection, Palpation, percussion, auscultation, C.T. scan, M.R.I. , etc.
Surface anatomy– Study of deeper parts of body in relation to skin surfaces.
It is useful in clinical and surgical operations.
Topographic anatomy- Study of structure and form of a portion of the body with particular emphasis on relationships of parts to each other.
Developmental anatomy – Study of development from fertilised egg to adult form. It occurs in two stages-
- Intrauterine – This developmental phase is further divided in two phases-
- Embryology – Early stage of foetus. ( Egg – eight weeks )
- Foetology – 8 weeks – 8 months
2. Extrauterine – Child development to adult form.
Histology (microscopic anatomy )-Microscopic study of the structure of tissues.
Cytology- The science of cell formation and cell life.
Physical anthropology – Deals with external features and measurements of different races and groups of people and with study of prehistoric remains.
Radiographic anatomy (skiagraphy)- Study of deeper organs by plane and contrast radiography.
Pathological anatomy (morbid anatomy) – Anatomy of diseased organs.
Applied anatomy (clinical anatomy)- Application of anatomy to diagnosis and treatment.
Dental anatomy- One concerning teeth, their location, position and relationships.
Comparative anatomy – Comparison of homologous structures of different animals.
Veterinary anatomy- Anatomy of domestic animals.
This was all about the definition and branches of anatomy.