Branches of anatomy

Aniruddha P. Joshi
2018 Batch
 Anatomy
Ana =‘up’
Tomy =‘cutting’
So we can say that Anatomy is the up cutting / taking incision
on the dead body / the cadaver to know the internal structure
of the body.
Definition:- It is the branch of science which is
concerned with the study of bodily structures
/internal structers of the living organism .

These structures are mainly studied by taking

Incision on the cadaver.
BRANCHES OF
ANATOMY
1. Cadaveric Anatomy /
Gross anatomy:-
• It is studied on dead (preserved) bodies usually
with the naked eye (macroscopic or gross
anatomy) . This can be done by one of the two
approaches: (a) In 'regional anatomy' (b) in
'systemic anatomy’.
1 (a).Regional Anatomy :-
• In this anatomy the study is based on region, parts , or
division of the body . They are studied in terms of :-
(i) Upper limb.
(ii) Lower limb.
(iii)Trunk.
(iv)Head and Neck.
(v) Brain.
 1(B). Systemic Anatomy:-
• The anatomy in which the systems of
the body is studied to emphasize
overview of the system throughout
the body.
• Systemic anatomy includes organ
system , circulating system ,
respiratory system , cardiovascular
system , nervous system , muscular
system, etc.
2. Living Anatomy :-
•It is studied by inspecting the signs and
symptom of living body.
•It include by inspection, palpation (Fig. 1.2),
percussion, auscultation, endoscopy
(bronchoscopy, gastroscopy), radiography,
electromyography, etc.
3. Microscopic Anatomy :-
• The study structure of a cells,
tissues , and organs of a body.
• Microscopic anatomy deals with
structures that cannot be seen
without magnification.
• With a light microscope, you can
see basic details of cell structure;
with an electron microscope, you
can see individual molecules that
are only a few nanometers across.
4. Surface Anatomy :-
• It is also called topographical
anatomy.
• It is the study of deeper parts
of the body in relation to the
skin surface.
• It is helpful in clinical practice
and surgical operations.
5. Radiological Anatomy
:-
• Also called Imaging anatomy.
• It is the study of the bones and
deeper organs by plain and
contrast radiography by
ultrasound and computerized
tomographic (CT) scans.
6. Physical
Anthropology:-
• Deals with the external features and
measurements of different races and groups of
people, and with the study of the prehistoric
remains.
7. Applied / Clinical
Anatomy:-
• Deals with application of the anatomical
knowledge to the medical and surgical practice .
• The study of body structures to determine how t
hey influence the body's performance and its sus
ceptibility to disease.
8. Genetics :-
• Deals with the study of information present in
the chromosomes.
• It is the study of genes, heredity, and genetic
variation in living organisms.
9. Neuroanatomy :-
•Neuroanatomy is the study of the
structure and organization of
the nervous system.
10. Sectional Anatomy :-
• In this branch, anatomy is studied by cutting /
dissecting the whole body into different parts .
• It is also studied by taking sections as the organs.
• Sections like transverse, sagittal, coronal / frontal
and oblique sections are imagined to study the
sectional anatomy.
11. Comparative Anatomy :-
•Comparative anatomy is the
study of similarities and
differences in the anatomy of
different species.
•It is closely related
to evolutionary
biology and phylogeny (the ev
olution of species).
12. Experimental
Anatomy :-
•It is the study of the factors which influence
and determine the form, structure and
function of different parts of the body.
13. Embryological
Anatomy :-
• It is also called as Developmental anatomy.
• It is the study of the prenatal developmental changes in
an individual.
• Can be studied in two Steps:-
(i) Ontogeny: Deals only with development of an
individual.
(ii) Phylogeny: Concerns only with evolutionary history.
 Embryological Anatomy

Descriptive Comparative Experimental Chemical

{i} Descriptive :- {ii} Comparative :-
• The descriptive • Comparative
embryology is defined as embryology is the branch
the study concerned with of embryology that
the direct observation compares and
and description of contrasts embryos of
embryological different species,
development. showing how all animals
are related
{iii} Experimental:- {iv} Chemical :-
• The chemical embryology
• Experimental deals with the biophysical,
Embryology. Is the biochemical and
branch physiological
of embryology that techniques. Hence it is also
called Physiological or Bio-
studies the mechanisms chemical Embryology.
controlling the individual
development of animals
and plants by means of
experiments on living
organisms.