History of anatomy, body regions & landmarksThis is a featured page


Learning Objectives
We would like to help everyone in the class with their study of the surface anatomy and landmarks. We feel that by studying
these body regions (cranial, cervical, thoracic, lumbar, brachial, crural, etc) it will help us better understand important medical terminology and educate us for future school, jobs and even the everyday activities such as reading the paper.

Notes, Flashcards, etc.
flashcards are available here but open for adding

In the News

Toward A Better Drug For Treating Muscle, Bone Loss In Elderly Men, Science Daily, Oct. 19, 2007.
"The search for alternatives to steroid medications for treating millions of Baby Boomer males with age-related declines in the sex hormone testosterone has led researchers in California to report development of a non-steroidal compound that shows promise as a new treatment for loss of muscle mass, bone tissue, and other problems linked to low testosterone" (bolded for emphasis)
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,395361,00.html
Here was an interesting story of an 11 year old boy who had an arm bitten off by an alligator. As I read this, the anatomical parts of the arm came into mind I tried to understand where it might have severed.
http://www.ivanhoe.com/channels/p_channelstory.cfm?storyid=19170- Since a lot of the surface anantomy deals with the skin, this is an article on melanoma.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,396001,00.html- A news article about a girl that has a skin disorder. This skin disorder causes her skin to harden.
Glossary
History of Anatomy
Anatomy was first discovered and practiced over in Alexandria, Egypt.
One of the greatest anatomy teachers was Herophilus, he was also one of the first to dissect both animals and humans. His work was so influential that many sought after it for learning purposes, like Galen.

Galen was dubbed with the name of "Prince of Physicians". His work went on for 1500 years without anyone questioning him.
Vesalius who has been referred to as "Reformer of Anatomy" questioned Galen's work and decided to check it out himself.
Leornado da Vinci is considered one of the greatest anatomists of all time. He dissected bodies and became intrigued with the structure and function of man. He believed pulling blood out of a body would balance the "humorous".

Definition of anatomy: the study of structure. It is derived form Greek and means "to cut".


Henry Gray's Anatomy of the Human Body (or Gray's Anatomy as it has commonly been shortened) is an English-language human anatomy textbook widely regarded as a classic work on the subject.
The book was first published under the title Gray's Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical in the United Kingdom in 1858, and the following year in the United States. While studying the anatomical effects of infectious diseases, Gray contracted smallpox from his dying nephew and died shortly after the publication of the 1860 second edition, at the age of 34. Work on his much-praised book was continued by others and on November 24, 2004, the 39th British edition was released.


Henry Gray
Henry Gray

Body Regions

The major body regions:

1) Head
2) Neck
3) Trunk (chest and abdominal regions)
4) Upper Extremity
5) Lower Extremity


Body Regions

Here is two more basic pictures of the Body Regions:

Anterior Body Regions


Posterior Body Regions

Surface Anatomy Landmarks

Head
    • 8 Cranial bones and 12 Facial bones give us the definition of our faces.
      • Gives shape to the orbits, cheeks, chin
    • Hair also distinguishes different parts of the head/face
      • Hair line, eye brows, eye lashes
    • Cartilage plays a role in the surface anatomy of our faces
      • Nose and Ear shapes
    • Skin landmarks

1) Cranium

a) Supra Orbital Ridges
b) Superior Nuchal Line- Horizontal line on Occipital bone. Origin site for the Occipital belly of the Occipitofrontalis.
c) Pinna (auricle) – fleshy part of the external ear
d) Temporalis muscle- Temporal Region of the Cranium. Originates at the Superior and Inferior portions of the temporal Bone. Inserts at the Coronoid Process of the Mandible.
e) Hairline

2) Face

a) Occular region
1. Eyebrow
2. Eyelashes
3. Lacrimal Caruncle- A small reddish body at the medial angle of the eye, containing modified sebaceous and sweat glands.
Its the source of sleep dust (Eye Buggers)

b) Auricular region

1. External Acoustic Canal- tubular opening in middle ear
2. Helix- fold on outside of ear
3. Earlobe- bottom flap
4. Tragus- flap over ear hole, superior to earlobe

c) Nasal Region
1. Root of Nose- Frontal bone and Nasal bone meet
2. Bridge of Nose- firm narrow part of nose that projects between the eyes
3. Apex – tip of the nose
4. Nostrils (nares)
5. Wing of the nose (ala) - Outside of hole, flared lateral margin of each nostril

d) Oral Region
1. Lips (Labia) – Self Explanatory but remember this is one of few areas with the Stratum Lucidum
2. Chin (mentrum) – mental region
3. Philtrum (Latin for “love charm”) – vertical indent right below the nose


This was a pretty cool Maxillofacial surgery involving a metal rod removal from a mans face. There is no sound to the video. It appears the rod went in through the chin, but likely missed the mandible. It passed into the nasal cavity through a palatine bone, and exited the nasal cavity at the corner of the orbit, probably damaging the ethmoid and lacrimal bones on its way. He was a very lucky man--his eye was not damaged in any way and the rod did not enter the cranial cavity (so no brain damage!).

Neck

1) Anterior Region (cervix)
a) Larynx-colloquially known as the voicebox, is an organ in the neck of mammals involved in protection of the trachea and sound production.
1. Thyroid Cartilage (laryngeal prominence or Adam’s apple)
b) Hyoid Bone- is a bone in the neck, and is the only bone in the human skeleton not articulated to any other bone. Sits directly superior to Adam’s apple
c) Cricoid Cartilage- is the only complete ring of cartilage around the trachea. It sits directly inferior to Adam’s apple
d) Trachea- is a common term for an airway through which respiratory air passes in organisms. Called the windpipe and it travels to the lungs
e) Thyroid gland- largest endocrine gland, located immediately inferior to the thyroid cartilage of the larynx and anterior to the trachea
f) Common Carotid Artery- artery the travels down the neck from the brain. Common place for taking pulse.
g) Jugular Notch (Suprasternal notch) and Suprasternal Fossa – located directly above sternum between the clavicles
h) Clavicles – horizontal bones located just inferior to the neck, connect to the Sternum and Coracoid process of the Scapula.

2) Lateral Regions
a) Sternocleidomastoid muscles- lateral borders of "Suprasternal fossa" of the skin. "Head turner muscle"
b) Trapezius- is a large superficial muscle which extends longitudinally from the occipital bone to the lower thoracic vertebrae, and laterally to the spine of the scapula (shoulder blade).
c) External Jugular Vein- outside of neck, travels from the towards the head

3) Posterior region (nucha)
a) Spinous process of C7 - prominence that sticks out at bottom of neck when you bend your head forward.
b) Ligamentum nuchae - extends between C7 and the base of the skull. Helps stabilize the skull on the cervical vertebrae.

Neck 1Neck 2

Torso (trunk)

1) Back
a) Median furrow - Its a long vertical line (indent) down the middle of the back.
b) Scapula -is the bone that connects the humerus (arm bone) with the clavicle (collar bone). Also called the shoulder blade.
c) Triangle of Auscultation - Triangle under scapula. Right side for listening to lungs, left for listening to the heart.

2) Thorax (Chest)
a) Sternal angle (level with second rib) - underneath manubrium
b) Xiphisternal joint - between xiphoid and gladiolus
c) Costal Arch- The portion of the lower opening of the chest formed by the cartilages of the seventh to tenth ribs (inhale and hold your breath)
d) Mid Clavicular line-is a vertical line crossing through the clavicle.

3) Abdomen
a) Linea alba- vertical line that divides abdomen into left and right sections.
b) Symphysis pubis - cartilage between pelvic bone
c) Navael (Umbilicus)-where umbilical cord attaches to fetus
d) Rectus Abdominus - anterior portion of abdomen
e) linea semlinaris - lateral sides of rectus abdominus
f) External abdominal oblique- lateral and anterior superficial portions of abdominal cavity - forms inguinal ligament
g) Illiac Crest- top of hip bone
1. Anterior Superior Illiac Spine
2. Posterior Superior Illiac Spine
h) McBurney's point

anatomical back

Pelvis and Perineum

1. Inguinal Ligament - Starts at Axis connects to Symphysis Pubis. Bottom part of abdomen.
2. Perineum (genitals/anal opening)-is generally defined as the surface region in both males and females between the pubic symphysis and the coccyx.
3. Coccyx - commonly referred to as the tailbone, is the final segment of the human vertebral column.

History of anatomy, body regions & landmarks - The Anatomy WikiCoccyx

Upper Extremities

1) Shoulder
a) Acromion- forms the bony tip of the shoulder. Articulates with the acromial end of the clavicle
b) Clavipectoral triangle- small surface depression, bordered by the deltoid and pectoralis major muscles

The following is a video of a guy naming the features of the shoulder on a boy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRu7d8jma4Q

2) Axilla
a) Anterior Axillary Fold (pectoralis major) - Anterior border of the axilla ( in front of armpit region)
b) Posterior Axillary Fold (latissimus dorsi) - Posterior border of the axilla


3) Brachium
a) Biceps Brachii - Anterior muscle on arm, becomes prominent when elbow is flexed
b) Triceps Brachii - is a muscle of the posterior compartment of the upper arm. It is the muscle principally responsible for extension of the elbow joint.
c) Brachial Artery - major blood vessel of the upper arm, divides at the cubital fossa of the elbow into the radial and ulnar arteries
d) Medial and Lateral epicondyles of the humerus - tuberculated eminence at the distal end of the humerus on the arm.
e) Olecranon - is a large, thick, curved eminence, situated at the upper and back part of the forearm or elbow.
f) Ulnar Nerve - is a nerve which runs near the ulna bone. Aggravation of this nerve is commonly referred to as hitting one's "funny bone."
g) Cubital Fossa (antecubital fossa) - is the triangular area on the anterior view of the elbow joint of the arm. Location of Medial Cubital vein, which is the place for venous injections.


4) Antebrachium
a) Radius - in the anatomical position this is the lateral bone of forearm. Hint to remember* When you put your thumb up and say "that's rad". 'Rad'ius is on same side as thumb. Styloid process of the radius is on the lateral side of the wrist.
b) Ulna - medial side of forearm. Makes up the Olecranon (elbow) and Medial Styloid Process of the wrist.
c) Radial Artery - Artery on same side as radius traveling away from the heart.
d) Basilic Vein- is a large superficial vein of the upper limb that helps drain parts of the hand and forearm. It originates on the medial (ulnar) side of the hand, and travels up the base of the forearm and arm.
e) Cephalic Vein - is a superfial vein of the upper limb. It is the lateral vein of arm ( both branch from the medical cubital vein).


5) Hand
a) Distal ends of metacarpals (knuckles)
b) Phalanges -The phalanges are the finger bones. Fingers 2 -4 are made up of three phalanges. The thumb has two phalanges.
c) Thenar eminence - is the body of muscle on the palm of the human hand just beneath the thumb.
d) Anatomical snuffbox - or radial fossa, (in Latin Foveola radialis), is a triangular deepening on the radial, dorsal aspect of the hand - at the level of the carpal bones, specifically, the scaphoid and trapezium bones forming the floor.

This is a cool video of what you can do with your hand and arms:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNSaws7_fwU



Landmarks of Shoulder and Upper Extremity Landmarks of Shoulder and Upper Extremity
Landmarks of the Forearm and Hand


Buttox and Lower Extremity

1) Buttox (gluteal region)
a) Natal Cleft-The sulcus between the buttocks (nates).
b) Ishial Tuberosity, part that you sit down on when people say you have a bony butt
c) Fold on the buttock

2) Thigh
a) Quadricep femoris muscles - muscles on the front of the femur consist of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius inferiorly
b) Hamstring muscles - muscles on the back of the femur consists of Biceps femoris, semitendinous and semimembranous
c) Femoral Triangle - depression inferior to the groove that overlies the inguinal ligament on the anteromedial surface in the superior portion of the thigh. Important areterial pressure point.
d) greater trochanter - lateral prominence on femur
e) Lateral and medial condyles of femur
f) Lateral and medial condyles of tibia
g) Patella - or kneecap is a thick, triangular bone which articulates with the femur and covers and protects the knee joint.
h) Popliteal Fossa - indent on posterior side of knee
The following is an interesting animated video that goes through the process of knee surgery:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8BT1IouGA4


3) Leg (Crural Region)
a) Anterior border of tibia (shin)
b) Medial malleolous of tibia - sticks out on distal medial end
c) Lateral malleolous of fibula - distal lateral end
d) Achilles tendon (tendo calcaneus) - connects to calcanus bone on back of ankle. Insertion spot for gastrocnemius and Soleus muscle
e) Gastrocnemius - sits on tops of soleus, posterior part of leg
f) Posterior tibial artery
g) Greater Saphenous Vein - longest vein in body

4) Foot
a) Longitudinal Arch - medial and lateral arches of foot
b) Fifth metatarsal bone
c) Dorsal pedal arterty (dorsalis pedos) - comes across top of foot
d) Phalanges - toes
leg
Posterior view of LegAnterior ViewArteries of Lower Extremity
Connections to other body systems
Something a little funny I guess :)












What you're watching is a dissection of a male human body from head to toe in one millimeter transverse planes. The body was apparently frozen in ice and then one millimeter was shaved off for each picture. The number of identifiable anatomical structures and the muscle and bone positions is amazing!
Review Questions

1. If a patient had situs inversus, where would their appendix be located?
*a.Left lower quadrant
b. Right lower quadrant
c. Right upper quadrant
d. Left upper quadrant

2. What specific body region is the gallbladder located in?
a. Right Upper Quadrant
b. Left Upper Quadrant
c. Right Lower Quadrant
d. Left Lower Quadrant

3. What is just superior to the most inferior part of the body?
a. buttocks
b. cartilage of the nose
c. axilla
*d. popliteal fossa

4. My friend walked away giving me a 'peace' sign, what phalanges did he have to use?
a.1 & 2
*b. 2 & 3
c. 3 & 4
d. 4 & 5

5. When performing CPR, what part of the sternum do you want to make your compressions on?
a. Sternal notch
b. Manubrium
*c. Body of the sternum
d. Xiphoid process

6. Which is a common place for intravenous injections?
a. Saphenous Vein
b. Median Cubital Vein
c. Internal Jugual Vein
d. Cephalic Vein

7 If Dr. Nelson was to remove venous blood or inject medication, what region would he most likely use:
a. Antecubial fossa region
b. Femoral region
c. Patellar region
d. Olecranal region

8. When studying where the majority of human illnesses that arise you would study_____
a. histology
b. anphology
c. biology
d. cystology

9.In one of the articles you read, what was the cause of the ache in the teenage athlete's belly?
a. Gallstones
b. Infected Spleen
c. Pneumonia
d. Eruptured Appendix

10. What medical imaging procedure analyzes the metabolic state of a tissue and which tissues are most active?
a. Positron Emission Tomography
b. Magnetic Resonance Imaging
c. Dynamic Spacial Reconstruction
d. Computed Tomography

11. The name of the early anatomist known as "The Prince of Physicians" was
a. Leonardo da Vinci
b. Vesalius
c. Herophilius
d. Galen

12.Another name for macroscopic anatomy is:
a. gross anatomy
b. cytology

13. When going to a clinic to get your blood drawn which area are they more likely to draw it from?
a. antebrachial
b. buccal
*c. antecubital
d. cranial

14. The Thoracic cavity and the Abdominopelvic cavity are both part of the ventral cavity.
*a. true
b. false


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dawn252
Latest page update: made by dawn252 , Mar 20 2009, 4:25 PM EDT (about this update About This Update dawn252 Edited by dawn252

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muddieprinces cool 1 Apr 27 2009, 4:49 PM EDT by borderline
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This is pretty nasty but pretty cool too. did the guy live?
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