Lecture 3: Introduction To Anatomy

Question 1

What is anatomy?

Answer 1

The study of the structure of the (human) body.

Question 2

What is histology?

Answer 2

Study of tissue.

Question 3

What is cytology?

Answer 3

Study of cells.

Question 4

What is anatomical position? What is it for?

Answer 4

Refers to the positioning of the body when it is standing upright and facing forward with each arm hanging on either side of the body, and the palms facing forward.

• The standard anatomical position creates clear points of reference which help to avoid confusion when using anatomical terms.

Question 5

What are the anatomical planes?

Answer 5

• Frontal (Coronal plane)

• Median (Sagittal plane, centre)

• Transverse (Horizontal plane)

Question 6

What are the directional terms?

Answer 6

• Superior: the upper part of the body (also known as cephalic/cranial in humans).

• Inferior: the lower part of the body (also known as caudal in humans).

• Anterior: towards the front (also known as ventral in humans).

• Posterior: towards the back (also known as dorsal).

• Proximal: nearer the origin of a structure, or limb attachment point.

• Distal: further away from the origin of a structure of limb attachment point.

• Lateral: situated on one side/ further from the midline or other of the body or of an organ, especially in the region furthest from the median plane.

• Medial: closer to the midline.

Question 7

What are the two types of skeletons that make up the entire human skeleton structure?

Answer 7

Axial and Appendicular skeletons.

Question 8

How many bones does the axial skeleton have?

Answer 8

80 bones.

Question 9

How many bones does the appendicular skeleton have?

Answer 9

126 bones.

Question 10

What is the axial skeleton made up of?

Answer 10

• Skull and associated bones – skull (cranium & face) and associated bones (auditory ossicles & hyoid).

• Thoracic cage – sternum & ribs.

• Vertebral column – vertebrae, sacrum, and coccyx.

Question 11

What is the function and characteristics of the vertebral column and what is it made up of?

Answer 11

• Protects the spinal cord.

• S-shaped curve in adult, C-shaped curve in newborn.

• Composed of 24 single bones:

~ 7 in cervical region

~ 12 in thoracic region

~ 5 in lumbar region

~ Sacrum (5 fused vertebrae)

~ Coccyx (4 fused vertebrae)

*** Sacrum and coccyx’ vertebrae are unfused for babies, so they have 33 bones in their vertebral column.

Question 12

What are some abnormal spinal curvatures? What are their characteristics?

Answer 12

• Scoliosis

~ Lateral curve
~ Frontal (coronal) plane

• Kyphosis

~ Hunchback
~ Common in the elderly
~ Saggital plane

• Lordosis

~ Swayback
~ Common in pregnancy
~ Sagittal (median) plane

Question 13

What is the appendicular skeleton made up of?

Answer 13

• Pectoral girdles (shoulders) – clavicle and scapula (shoulder blade).
• Upper limbs – humerus, radius, ulna, carpal bones, metacarpal bones, and phalanges.
• Pelvic girdle – hip bones (differs in m/f).
• Lower limbs – femur, patella, tibia, fibula, tarsal bones, metatarsal bones, phalanges.

Question 14

What is the function of axial skeleton?

Answer 14

• Support and protect organs (bone covering).
• Surface for muscle attachment.

Question 15

State the function of the appendicular skeleton.

Answer 15

• Locomotion

(It has lots of joints).

• Some organ protection (reproductive organs).

Question 16

How many bones does the skeleton have in total?

Answer 16

206.