Outline of anatomy

Outline of Anatomy

Anatomy is the branch of biology concerned with the study of the structure of organisms and their parts. It is a general term that includes human anatomy, animal anatomy (zoonatomy) and plant anatomy (phytonatomy).

History of Anatomy

The study of anatomy dates back more than 2,000 years to the Ancient Greeks. The first recorded anatomist was Hippocrates, who made significant contributions to the field by describing the cardiovascular system and the nervous system.

Branches of Anatomy

Anatomy is subdivided into several branches including:

• Gross anatomy: This is also referred to as macroscopic anatomy. It involves the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by unaided vision.

• Microscopic anatomy: This is the study of anatomical structures with the aid of a microscope. It includes histology (the study of tissues), and cytology (the study of cells).

• Developmental anatomy: Also known as embryology, this branch studies the developmental stages of organisms from fertilization to adulthood.

• Comparative anatomy: This branch studies the differences and similarities in the anatomy of different species.

• Functional anatomy: This branch studies the relationship between the function and structure of various organs and organ systems.

Human Anatomy

Human anatomy is the study of the structure of the human body. It is divided into two main types:

• Surface anatomy: This is the study of anatomical landmarks that can be identified by looking at the surface of the body.

• Sectional anatomy: This is the study of the relationship of the body's structures by examining cross sections.

Anatomical Terminology

Anatomical terminology is used to describe microanatomical (or histological) structures. This helps in understanding and communicating the structure of the body. This includes anatomical position, directional terms, and body planes.

See Also

• Physiology
• Histology
• Human body
• Organ (anatomy)