What is human anatomy?

Human anatomy is the science that studies the bodily structures of humans,both systems and organs, as well as musculoskeletal structures (bones and muscles).

What does anatomy study?

Anatomy analyzes how the body’s structures can be affected by genetics (chromosomal changes that are passed on to descendants), the environment (diseases) and time (changes from childhood to old age).

Furthermore, it investigates the evolutionary mechanisms that cause changes in physical structures. It is related to Biology, Medicine, Physiotherapy, Nursing and other biomedical areas.

Technical terms of anatomy

In anatomy, there are many names that can be frightening to any beginner, but they are essential for a better understanding and standardization of the subject. In addition to the names of organs and structures, there are terms and conventions that are essential, such as: anatomical position, division of the body, planes, axes and anatomical movements.

Anatomical position

It is scientifically adopted for the study of the human body. In this position, the person stands with their face turned forward and their gaze directed towards the horizon. The arms are extended along the body, with the palms of the hands facing forward. The legs are together and the feet are facing forward.

Representation of a woman in an anatomical position

Body division

As in other biological areas, in anatomy,the study is done in parts. There are specialists for each area, for example: myologist (muscles), osteologist (bones), among others.

That’s why doctors become specialists in an area of ​​the body that they have studied best, like pulmonologists, who treat the lungs.

The human body is divided into large groups:head, neck, trunk and limbs. Each of these is subdivided into specific parts.

For example, the head contains the skull (where the brain and the beginning of the spinal cord are located) and the face (eyes, nose, mouth, ears).

Read also:

• Parts of the Human Body
• Members of the Human Body
• Human Body Systems
• Organs of the Human Body

Anatomical planes

To facilitate the correct spatial location of body parts, anatomical planes are defined. Each plane represents a section of the body, dividing it into parts. It is important to note that several cuts can be made in a plane, parallel to each other.

Anatomical Planes

• Frontal or Coronal Plane: cuts the body vertically from one side to the other, passing through the coronal suture of the skull, that is, close to the ears. All structures located in front are calledanteriorand behind areposterior;
• Sagittal Plane: cuts the body vertically into two halves, right and left, passing through the sagittal suture of the skull, that is, through the forehead. If the cut is made right in the middle of the body, it is calledthe median plane. All structures located close to the median plane are calledmedialand those that are further away arelateral;
• Transverse or Horizontal Plane: cuts the body horizontally, that is, transversally. All structures above the plane are calledsuperiorand below,inferior.

Anatomical axes and movements

The axes areimaginary lines that “pierce” the planes perpendicularly. The anatomical movements are related to the axes, that is,the joints move through the connection point represented by the axes. Below are the main ones:

Anatomical Axes

• Anteroposterior or sagittal axis: passes through the frontal plane going from front to back;
  • Abduction: movement in the anteroposterior axis, such as the shoulder and hip joints, away from the median plane of the body. Examples: raising the arm, bending forward;
  • Adduction: movement that brings the body closer to the median plane. Examples: lowering the arm, returning the trunk to an upright position;
• Lateral-lateral or Horizontal axis: passes through the sagittal plane going from one side to the other;
  • Extension: movement along the horizontal axis, which causes the angle between two bone structures to increase, moving them apart. Example: stretching the arm forward;
  • Flexion: Produces a decrease in the angle between two bone structures, bringing them closer together. Example: bending the arm, bringing the hand closer to the shoulder;
• Longitudinal axis: passes through the transverse plane going from top to bottom, or vice versa;
  • Medial or internal rotation:movement in the longitudinal axis that rotates the limb from the outside to the inside (direction of the median plane).
  • Lateral or external rotation: movement that rotates the limb from the inside to the outside (lateral plane direction).