Anatomy
Divisions of Anatomy:
o Gross Anatomy (visible structures: muscle, bones, organs)
o Microscopic Anatomy (can’t see with a naked eye)
o Cytology (study of cells)
o Histology (study of tissues)
Ways to Study Anatomy:
o Regional Anatomy→ study one region of the body at a time and learn everything about
the region.
o Systemic Anatomy→ study one body system at a time.
Organ Systems
⎯ Skeletal ⎯ Nervous ⎯ Respiratory
⎯ Circulatory ⎯ Lymphatic ⎯ Reproductive
⎯ Endocrine ⎯ Urinary ⎯ Digestive
⎯ Muscular
⎯ Integumentary (skin)
Planes and Sections:
Sagittal Section: divides the body into right and left sides.
Mid-Sagittal Section: straight down the center of the body.
Frontal section: divides the body into front and back sides.
Transverse (Cross) Section: cut straight across the body.
1
,Body Cavities
Quadrants:
Right Upper Quadrant
Left Upper Quadrant
Right Lower Quadrant
Left Lower Quadrant
2
,Anatomical Regions of the Skeleton:
The Axial Skeleton:
1) Vertebral Column:
Protects the spinal cord.
Transmits weight from the skull to the
pelvis.
Provides attachment point for ribs and
muscles of back and neck.
Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C7)→ concave
Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T12)→ convex
Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L5)→ concave
Sacrum (five fused vertebrae)→ convex
Coccyx (four fused vertebrae
a. Cervical Vertebrae
C1 (Atlas)→ lacks body and spinous
processes. Superior articular facets house
the occipital condyles of skull. Allows
nodding, movement of the head.
3
, C2 (Axis)→Odontoid process (dens) is the
missing body of the atlas; fuses with axis during
development. Allows head to rotate laterally.
C3-C7 are typical cervical vertebrae. Oval body.
Spinous process is short (except C7) and bifid.
Each transverse process has a transverse foramen
to allow passage of vertebral arteries to brain.
The non-bifid spinous process of C7 is also known as the
vertebra prominens.
b. Thoracic Vertebrae
Gradual transition from C7 to L1.
Heart-shaped body with two demi facets on each side
(superior and inferior costal facets); these articulate
with heads of ribs.
Circular vertebral foramen is the long, downward
pointing spinous process.
Transverse costal facets on transverse process to
articulate with tubercles of ribs (except T11 and T12)
c. Lumbar Vertebrae
Bear greatest load; reflected in more robust
size/shape.
Large, kidney-shaped bodies.
Short, flat spinous processes.
Triangular vertebral foramen.
d. Sacrum
Formed by fusion of S1-S5.
Articulates with L5, coccyx and iliac
bones of pelvis.
Median sacral crest marks site of
fusion of spinous processes.
Body’s center of gravity lies about 1cm
posterior to sacral promontory.
4
Divisions of Anatomy:
o Gross Anatomy (visible structures: muscle, bones, organs)
o Microscopic Anatomy (can’t see with a naked eye)
o Cytology (study of cells)
o Histology (study of tissues)
Ways to Study Anatomy:
o Regional Anatomy→ study one region of the body at a time and learn everything about
the region.
o Systemic Anatomy→ study one body system at a time.
Organ Systems
⎯ Skeletal ⎯ Nervous ⎯ Respiratory
⎯ Circulatory ⎯ Lymphatic ⎯ Reproductive
⎯ Endocrine ⎯ Urinary ⎯ Digestive
⎯ Muscular
⎯ Integumentary (skin)
Planes and Sections:
Sagittal Section: divides the body into right and left sides.
Mid-Sagittal Section: straight down the center of the body.
Frontal section: divides the body into front and back sides.
Transverse (Cross) Section: cut straight across the body.
1
,Body Cavities
Quadrants:
Right Upper Quadrant
Left Upper Quadrant
Right Lower Quadrant
Left Lower Quadrant
2
,Anatomical Regions of the Skeleton:
The Axial Skeleton:
1) Vertebral Column:
Protects the spinal cord.
Transmits weight from the skull to the
pelvis.
Provides attachment point for ribs and
muscles of back and neck.
Cervical Vertebrae (C1-C7)→ concave
Thoracic Vertebrae (T1-T12)→ convex
Lumbar Vertebrae (L1-L5)→ concave
Sacrum (five fused vertebrae)→ convex
Coccyx (four fused vertebrae
a. Cervical Vertebrae
C1 (Atlas)→ lacks body and spinous
processes. Superior articular facets house
the occipital condyles of skull. Allows
nodding, movement of the head.
3
, C2 (Axis)→Odontoid process (dens) is the
missing body of the atlas; fuses with axis during
development. Allows head to rotate laterally.
C3-C7 are typical cervical vertebrae. Oval body.
Spinous process is short (except C7) and bifid.
Each transverse process has a transverse foramen
to allow passage of vertebral arteries to brain.
The non-bifid spinous process of C7 is also known as the
vertebra prominens.
b. Thoracic Vertebrae
Gradual transition from C7 to L1.
Heart-shaped body with two demi facets on each side
(superior and inferior costal facets); these articulate
with heads of ribs.
Circular vertebral foramen is the long, downward
pointing spinous process.
Transverse costal facets on transverse process to
articulate with tubercles of ribs (except T11 and T12)
c. Lumbar Vertebrae
Bear greatest load; reflected in more robust
size/shape.
Large, kidney-shaped bodies.
Short, flat spinous processes.
Triangular vertebral foramen.
d. Sacrum
Formed by fusion of S1-S5.
Articulates with L5, coccyx and iliac
bones of pelvis.
Median sacral crest marks site of
fusion of spinous processes.
Body’s center of gravity lies about 1cm
posterior to sacral promontory.
4
