University of Sana’a
Faculty of Medicine
Anatomy Department
Introduction to
Anatomy &
Terminology of Basic
Movements
Collected for Biomedical Engineering Students' 1445\2024
Prepared By:
Dr. Adnan Dahan Afiah
2nd Year MD Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY
Introduction to Anatomy:
The term anatomy is derived from the Greek word temneinm meaning “to cut.”.
Anatomy is the branch of biological science which is concerned with the description of
body structures of various living organisms as revealed by dissection. It’s a foundational
subject in medical education, providing a roadmap to the human body, Anatomy is also
important for dentists, chiropractors, physical therapists, and all others involved in any
aspect of patient treatment that begins with an analysis of clinical signs. The ability to
interpret a clinical observation correctly is therefore the endpoint of a sound anatomical
understanding.
Anatomy can be studied following either a regional or
a systemic approach:
• regional approach: each region of the body is studied separately, and all aspects of
that region are studied at the same time. For example, if the thorax is to be studied,
all of its structures are examined. This includes the vasculature, the nerves, the
bones, the muscles, and all other structures and organs located in the region of the
body defined as the thorax.
• systemic approach: each system of the body is studied and followed throughout the
entire body. For example, a study of the cardiovascular system looks at the heart and
all of the blood vessels in the body.
Types of Anatomy:
There are two major types of anatomy:
1. Gross (macroscopic) anatomy: This involves the study of anatomical structures
that can be seen by the naked eye, such as the external and internal bodily organs.
2. Microscopic anatomy: This involves the study of tiny anatomical structures such
as tissues and cells.
Anatomical Position:
The anatomical position is a standard point of reference commonly used in human
anatomy and physiology when describing certain anatomical terms and positions. It is
defined as standing up straight with the body at rest. The body is facing forward, arms by
the sides of the body, and palms facing forward.
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INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY
Anatomical Planes:
Anatomical planes are imaginary planes/2D surfaces used to divide the body to facilitate
descriptions of location and movement. The three major planes are:
1. Sagittal plane: Divides the body into left and right parts.
2. Coronal plane: Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back)
sections.
3. Transverse (axial) plane: Divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior
(lower) sections.
Anatomical Movements:
Anatomical movements are specific actions made by muscles upon the skeleton.
Basic movements:
1. Flexion and Extension: Flexion refers to a movement that decreases the angle
between two body parts, while extension refers to a movement that increases the
angle5.
2. Abduction and Adduction: Abduction is a movement away from the midline,
while adduction is a movement towards the midline.
3. Medial and Lateral Rotation: Medial rotation is a rotational movement towards
the midline, while lateral rotation is a rotating movement away from the midline.
4. Elevation and Depression: Elevation refers to movement in a superior direction,
depression refers to movement in an inferior direction.
5. Pronation and Supination: Pronation is the inward roll of the foot during normal
motion, while supination is the outward roll of the foot.
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INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY
ELEVATION DEPRESSION
EXTENSION FLEXTION
SUPINATION
PRONATION
EXTENSION
Anatomical Terminology:
1. Superior: Closer to the top of the head. For example, the nose is superior to the
knee, and the lungs are superior to the stomach.
2. Inferior: Closer to the feet. The stomach is inferior to the lungs.
3. Anterior: Closer to the front of the body, the abdominal muscles are anterior to the
spine.
4. Posterior: Closer to the back and more related to it. The spine is posterior to the
abdominal muscles, The term dorsal has a similar meaning as posterior.
5. Median: At the midline of the body. The nose is a median structure.
6. Medial: Closer to the midline of the body, and the nose is medial to the ear.
7. Lateral: Farther away from the middle, and the ear is lateral to the nose.
8. Proximal: Closer to the trunk or closer to the point of origin. The shoulder is
proximal to the elbow.
9. Distal: Farther from the trunk or from the point of origin. The elbow is distal to
the shoulder, and the distal portion of the small intestine is where it ends at the
large intestine.
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INTRODUCTION TO ANATOMY
10. Superficial: Closer to the surface. For instance, the skin is superficial to the
muscles, and the abdominal muscles are superficial to the small intestine.
11. Intermediate: In between. The abdominal muscles are intermediate between the
skin and the small intestines.
12. Deep: Farther from the surface. The abdominal muscles are deep to the skin.
13. Unilateral: On only one side of the body, like the stomach and liver.
14. Bilateral: On both the left and right sides of the body, such as the eyes, the
kidneys, and the arms and legs.
15. Ipsilateral: On the same side of the body. For example, the right ear and the right
eye are ipsilateral.
16. Contralateral: On opposite sides of the body. The right ear is contralateral to the
left ear.
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