Anatomical terminology | Simple terminology used in anatomy

Anatomy and physiology -Anatomy and physiology are two of the most basic terms and areas of study in the life sciences. Anatomy refers to the internal and external structures of the body and their physical relationships, whereas physiology refers to the study of the functions of those structures.

Branches of anatomy

1.Gross anatomy (gross; large) deals with the structures of the body that are visible to the naked eye. Structures such as muscles, bones, digestive organs or skin can be examined

2.Histology is the microscopic study of tissues and cells used in understanding the pathogenesis and diagnosis of various diseases. Cells are the tiny living units that form the tissues, organs and structures within the body.

●Human physiology is the science of how the human body functions in health and disease.

●Pathophysiology- The study of disease or injury on body.

•a/an-Lack of/ absence example anaemia.

•Anti -against example anticoagulant. •Card -heart example cardiac.

•Endo -inside example endocytosis. •Exo -outside example exocytosis. •Hyper - excess / Above example hypertension.

•Hypo -under /below example hypotantion.

•Micro- small /tiny example microorganism.

•Mega- large/ big example hepatomegaly

• Itis- inflammation eg. Appendicitis.

• Tachy - excessively fast example Tachycardia.

• Brady- slow example Bradycardia.

•Nephro- kidney example nephron. •Neuro- nerve example neurone, neuralgia

•Vaso- vessel example vasoconstriction.

•Tumor- Overproduction of cells/ Mass formation.

•Medial- Structure near midline body.

•Lateral- Structure away from midline.(side)

•Proximal- attachment near the limb.

•Distal- attachment Distal from limb.

•Anterior/ventral- front

• Posterior/dorsal - back

•Superior- part near head (upper)

•Inferior- part near toe (lower/ bottom)