Anatomy
Anatomy is the science that deals with the structural organization of living organisms. Human anatomy has long been studied through the dissection of cadavers (preserved dead bodies), which served as the basis for understanding the structure and function of the human body.
The term anatomy is derived from the Greek word anatome meaning to cut up. The term dissection is the Latin equivalent of the Greek term anatomy and in the past word anatomize was more commonly used than the word dissect.
Earlier, human anatomy was a descriptive science primarily concerned with identifying and naming the body structures, but today the importance of anatomy lies in its functional approach and clinical applications. Therefore, presently, human anatomy is a practical applied science that forms the firm foundation of the art of healing (i.e. medicine).
Subdivision Of Anatomy
Macroscopic/cadaveric Anatomy (gross)
Study on cadavers by dissection and observation of structures by naked eye. In Gross Anatomy the structures are either studied region-wise (regional anatomy) or system-wise (systemic anatomy).
Microscopic Anatomy (histology)
Study of body structures with the help of microscope (light/electron microscope). Microscopic anatomy provides structural details of tissues and cells, which otherwise are not visible to the naked eye.
Surface Anatomy
Study of the relationship of deeper structures with skin surface: some of these structures can be seen, whereas other can be palpated on the body surface. These structures are sometimes used as surface (anatomical) landmarks for surface-marketing of the much deeper structures with the help of ‘skin-pencil’.
Comparative Anatomy
Study Of Changes in the form, structure, and function of the different parts of the body that taken place in the Animal kingdom during evolution (Phylogeny).
Physical Anthropology
Study of Physical Characteristics of the human being and their ancestors, and of variability of these characteristics among and within different racial groups. The Knowledge of physical anthropology helps to solve medicolegal problems of identification of individuals.
Living Anatomy
Study of the Structures of the body of the living human being by inspection, palpation, percussion, auscultation and with the helps of various medical procedures like bronchoscopy, gastroscopy, cystoscopy and imaging techniques.
Clinical Anatomy
Use of anatomical knowledge for diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. It also provides the anatomical basis of various diseases.
Radiological Anatomy
Visualization of the structure and their relations with the neighboring structures inside the body by taking radiographs using X-Rays. Recently, new imagine techniques like computerized axial tomography (CAT scan), magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) and ultrasound are frequently being used to study the deeper structures with greater accuracy and with little or no harmful effects.
Developmental Anatomy
Study of intrauterine development of an individual, which begins with fertilization and ends with birth. Much can be learnt about the structure and function of adults by studying changes that occur during development.
Genetics
Study of the Principles Of Heredity.
Experimental Anatomy
Study of the factors that influence and determine the form, structure and function of the different parts of the body, by conducting various experiments such as demonstration of sites of valves in the veins by applying a tourniquet and determining the direction of blood flow in the vessel.