1. GROSS ANATOMY
Gross anatomy = study of structures visible to the naked eye.
It uses several major approaches:
1.1 Methods of Studying Gross Anatomy
A. Surface Anatomy
Study of the body’s external features
Used in physical examination, e.g.:
o Locating pulses
o Identifying bony landmarks
o Assessing muscle tone
o Detecting abnormal lumps or organ enlargement
Crucial for clinicians, paramedics, surgeons, and physiotherapists
B. Dissection
Cutting and separating tissues to observe relationships between structures
Traditional foundation of anatomy study
Reveals:
o Nerves, vessels, fascia planes
o Joint spaces
o Muscle attachments
C. Radiologic Anatomy
Study of internal structures via imaging:
o X-ray (bones, lungs)
o CT (cross-sectional bone + soft tissue)
o MRI (soft tissue contrast, brain, spinal cord, joints)
o Ultrasound (obstetrics, soft tissue, vascular flow)
o PET scans (metabolism, cancer)
Modern anatomy depends heavily on radiological imaging.
D. Systemic Anatomy
, Study of one organ system at a time, e.g.:
Skeletal system
Muscular system
Nervous system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Endocrine system
Urinary system
Cardiovascular system
Lymphatic system
Reproductive systems
This is the standard textbook teaching method.
E. Regional Anatomy
Study of all structures in a specific region simultaneously.
Examples:
Thorax: heart, lungs, vessels, ribs, diaphragm
Head & neck: cranial nerves, blood supply, glands, musculature
Abdomen: digestive organs, vessels, lymphatics
Clinicians use regional anatomy during physical exams and surgical procedures.
2. ORGAN SYSTEMS OF THE HUMAN
BODY (OVERVIEW)
There are 11 organ systems, PLUS the immune system (which is not an anatomical “system”
but a collection of cells, tissues, and organs).
The 11 systems are:
1. Integumentary
2. Skeletal
3. Muscular
4. Nervous
5. Endocrine
6. Cardiovascular
7. Lymphatic
8. Respiratory
9. Digestive
Gross anatomy = study of structures visible to the naked eye.
It uses several major approaches:
1.1 Methods of Studying Gross Anatomy
A. Surface Anatomy
Study of the body’s external features
Used in physical examination, e.g.:
o Locating pulses
o Identifying bony landmarks
o Assessing muscle tone
o Detecting abnormal lumps or organ enlargement
Crucial for clinicians, paramedics, surgeons, and physiotherapists
B. Dissection
Cutting and separating tissues to observe relationships between structures
Traditional foundation of anatomy study
Reveals:
o Nerves, vessels, fascia planes
o Joint spaces
o Muscle attachments
C. Radiologic Anatomy
Study of internal structures via imaging:
o X-ray (bones, lungs)
o CT (cross-sectional bone + soft tissue)
o MRI (soft tissue contrast, brain, spinal cord, joints)
o Ultrasound (obstetrics, soft tissue, vascular flow)
o PET scans (metabolism, cancer)
Modern anatomy depends heavily on radiological imaging.
D. Systemic Anatomy
, Study of one organ system at a time, e.g.:
Skeletal system
Muscular system
Nervous system
Respiratory system
Digestive system
Endocrine system
Urinary system
Cardiovascular system
Lymphatic system
Reproductive systems
This is the standard textbook teaching method.
E. Regional Anatomy
Study of all structures in a specific region simultaneously.
Examples:
Thorax: heart, lungs, vessels, ribs, diaphragm
Head & neck: cranial nerves, blood supply, glands, musculature
Abdomen: digestive organs, vessels, lymphatics
Clinicians use regional anatomy during physical exams and surgical procedures.
2. ORGAN SYSTEMS OF THE HUMAN
BODY (OVERVIEW)
There are 11 organ systems, PLUS the immune system (which is not an anatomical “system”
but a collection of cells, tissues, and organs).
The 11 systems are:
1. Integumentary
2. Skeletal
3. Muscular
4. Nervous
5. Endocrine
6. Cardiovascular
7. Lymphatic
8. Respiratory
9. Digestive
