Introduction to Anatomy and Microanatomy Flashcards
Anatomical Position
standing square on all 4 limbs w/ head and tail extended
Dorsal
Towards the back
Ventral
Towards the belly
Cranial/ rostral
Closer to head along main body access
Caudal
Towards the tail
Median plane ( aka medial sagittal plane)
One, Iongitudinal line dividing the body into equal right and left halves
Ipsilateral
On the same side
Contralateral
On opposite sides
Medial
Towards the midline
Lateral
Away from the midline
*For limbs, refer to the inner and outer surfaces
Sagittal planes
All other longitudinal planes parallel to the median plane
Dorsal Plane
Towards the back vs towards the belly
Limbs: dorsal refers to front of the paws, while palmar/plantar refer to rear (underside) of forepaw and hind paw
Transverse Plane
Longitudinal planes perpendicular to the median and dorsal planes (infinite in number)
Limbs: cranial and caudal refer to front and rear surfaces proximal to carpus and tarsus
Proximal
Refers to limbs, closer to the trunk of the body
Distal
Refers to limbs, closer to the paw/hoof; away from the trunk
Surfaces - Superficial vs Deep
Towards the surface of the body/or organ VS removed from the surface of the body or at the center of a solid organ
Gross Anatomy
Structures observed via dissection
Micro anatomy
Structures observed via histology
Embryology
Development from conception to birth, studied through histology and dissection
Neuroanatomy
study of the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system, studied using histology and dissection
Micro anatomy
Requires the ability to visually differentiate structures using magnification and histological stains
Light Microscopy
Photons interact with tissues components
Light is focused with optical lens
Electron Microscopy
Electrons interact with tissue components. Electrons are focused with electromagnetic lens
Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM)
Shows internal structure
Dark = electron dense
Light = electron lucent
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Shows external (or surface structures)
Staining Steps
- Fixation
- Embedding
- Sectioning
- Staining
Two main types of stains/dyes
- Basophilic: interacts with acidic structures
thus acidic components appear blue/purple - Acidophilic: interact with basic structures
pink, red, orange
Artifacts
Something that is artificially made by people
Relating to cells: tissue shrinkage and lost molecules
“Cracks” and spaces
Low power
no individual cells seen
intermediate/Medium Power
Tissue organization
High Power
Cell/nuclear detail; individual cells seen
