Introduction to Anatomy

Question 1

What is anatomy?

Answer 1

Anatomy is the structure in which the functions of life occur.

Question 2

What are the 3 main approaches to studying anatomy?

Answer 2

Regional/topographical anatomy
Systemic
Clinical

Question 3

What is the regional/topographical anatomy?

Answer 3

Regional/topographical anatomy considers the organization of the human body as major parts or segments: a main body, consisting of the head, neck, trunk, and paired upper limbs and lower limbs. All the major parts may be further subdivided into areas and regions. The body’s structure is studied by focusing attention on a specific part, area, or region; examining the arrangement and relationships of the various systems/structures within it; and then usually continuing to study adjacent regions in an ordered sequence.

Question 4

What is systemic anatomy?

Answer 4

Systemic anatomy is the study of the body’s organ systems that work together to carry out complex functions. No one system works in isolation.

Question 5

What is clinical/applied anatomy?

Answer 5

Clinical anatomy (applied anatomy) emphasizes aspects of bodily structure and function important in the practice of health sciences. It incorporates the regional and systemic approaches but stresses clinical application.

Question 6

What is the anatomical position?

Answer 6

The scientific reference position for anatomical location terms.

Question 7

What are the features of the anatomical position?

Answer 7

The anatomical position
1. Standing upright
2. Facing you
3. Palms turned forwards (anteriorly)
4. Upper limbs relaxed and to the side of the body
5. Feet shoulder width apart, toes directed to the front

Question 8

What are the 3 anatomical planes?

Answer 8

The 3 anatomical, orthogonal planes are the three dimensions the body are sectioned into: coronal/frontal; median/sagittal; and transverse/horizontal/axial. These planes are used as points of reference or as “cuts” to better visualise internal structures. These may be physical cuts (i.e. performed surgically or during a dissection) or diagnostic with medical imaging e.g. CT and MRI scans.

Question 9

What is the occlusal plane?

Answer 9

When teeth precisely come together during mastication we say that they occlude. Therefore the plane between the upper and lower teeth is referred to as the occlusal plane.

Question 10

What does anterior/ventral and posterior/dorsal mean?

Answer 10

Anterior/ventral - towards the front of the body
Posterior/dorsal - towards the back of the body

Question 11

What does superior/cranial and inferior/caudal mean?

Answer 11

Superior/cranial - closer to the top of our head
Inferior/caudal - further from the top of our head

Question 12

What does medial and lateral mean?

Answer 12

Medial - closer to the median plane
Lateral - further from the median plane

Question 13

What does proximal and distal mean?

Answer 13

Proximal - closer to a point of origin
Distal - further from a point of origin

Question 14

What does deep and superficial mean?

Answer 14

Deep - further from the skin
Superficial - closer to the skin

Question 15

What does labial and buccal mean?

Answer 15

Labial - the surface of the tooth that facing the lips
Buccal - the surface of the tooth that facing the cheeks

Question 16

What does mesial and distal mean?

Answer 16

Mesial - the surface of the tooth closest to the midline
Distal - the surface of the tooth most distant from the midline

Question 17

What does proximal mean?

Extension | A straightening movement that results in the increase of the angle in a joint by moving bones further apart |

Answer 17

Proximal - the mesial or distal surface and therefore the proximal contact area is where two teeth touch (the mesial surface of one tooth and the distal of another)

Question 18

What does palatal and lingual?

Answer 18

Palatal - the surface of the tooth which faces the palate in the upper arch
Lingual - the surface of the tooth which faces the tongue in the lower arch
Labial - the surface of the tooth that facing the lips

Question 19

What does occlusal mean?

Answer 19

Occlusal - the top surface or chewing surface of the tooth

Question 20

What does extension and flexion mean?

Answer 20

Extension - a straightening movement that results in the increase of the angle in a joint by moving bones further apart
Flexion - a bending movement that decreases of the angle in a joint by bringing bones closer together

Question 21

What does abduction and adduction mean?

Answer 21

Abduction - movement away from the midline
Adduction - movement towards the mid line

Question 22

What does depression and elevation mean?

Answer 22

Depression - movement inferior to the reference axis
Elevation - superior to the reference axis

Question 23

What does protrusion and retrusion mean?

Answer 23

Protrusion - forward movement Retrusion - backword movement

Question 24

What does lateral/external rotation and medial/internal rotation mean?

Answer 24

Lateral/external rotation - rotation away from the midline
Medial/internal rotation - rotation toward the midline