Introduction

So before we start anything else, let’s discuss what anatomy is. Anatomy is the study of the structure of the human body. Your bones and the position of your joints, where your muscles are attached and what makes up your brain, that’s all part of the study of the human anatomy. The functions of these parts however are discussed in Physiology. So how you digest your food, how your brain process all the information and how you make your poop is all discussed in physiology.

The following are the basic approaches to the study of anatomy:

Systemic Anatomy

You study by systems like the one used on this website. So we first study the skin then the muscles then the central nervous system etc.

Regional Anatomy

You study by region or part and all systems under that region are studied simultaneously.

Structural and Functional Organization

The body is made up of six structural levels: chemical, cell, tissue, organ, organ system and organism.

Chemical Level – as you know you are made up of atoms so this level is all about them and how they interact with each other.

Cell level – atoms grouped together make up cells. Cells are the basic structural and functional unit of organisms (Seeley, 2012).

Tissue Level – when similar cells and their surrounding structure form together they make up your tissue. Tissues are further discussed under Tissues. Glands and Membranes

Organ Level – two or more tissues that perform one or more common functions are called organs.

Organ System Level – when group of organs function together to perform a common function they are called an organ system. Like when all your organs in your urinary system like your kidney and bladder work together to help your body eliminate fluid waste.

Organism Level – since an organism is considered as a whole, it is a set of complex systems that are dependent on each other. When all of your organ system function together they make you!

Basic Anatomical Terms

Anatomical Position

The Anatomical Position is the term we use when we refer to a person (1) standing erect, (2) hands at side, (3) palms facing forward, (4) feet shoulder width apart and (5) toes slightly pointing outward. We use this when we are trying to relate body parts from each other.

Directional Terms

Term	Definition
Superior	A structure above another
Inferior	A structure below another
Cephalic/Cranial	Towards the head. Usually synonymous with Superior
Caudal	Towards the tail. Usually synonymous with Inferior
Right	Towards the right side of the body
Left	Towards the left side of the body
Anterior	The front of the body
Posterior	The back of the body
Ventral	Towards the belly. Usually synonymous with Anterior
Dorsal	Towards the back. Usually synonymous with Posterior
Proximal	Closer to the point of attachment in the body than any other structure
Distal	Farther to the point of attachment in the body than any other structure
Lateral	Away from the midline
Medial	Toward the midline
Superficial	Toward the surface.
Deep	Away from the surface.