Anatomi

Anatomi, commonly translated as anatomy, is the branch of biology that studies the structure of organisms and their parts. It describes how components are organized—from cells and tissues to organs and organ systems—and how they relate to one another within a body. In humans, anatomy is traditionally divided into gross (macroscopic) anatomy, which can be studied without a microscope, and microscopic anatomy, which requires histology to examine tissues at the cellular level. Developmental anatomy (embryology) looks at how structures form before birth, while comparative anatomy analyzes similarities and differences across species.

Major areas of study include regional anatomy (dividing the body into areas such as head and neck, thorax, abdomen, pelvis, and limbs) and systemic anatomy (the study of organ systems like cardiovascular, nervous, skeletal, muscular, and digestive). Surface anatomy maps external landmarks to underlying structures. Plant anatomy studies tissue organization in plants, while veterinary or comparative anatomy applies to animals other than humans.

Methods: Traditional dissection has long been central to anatomical study, but modern anatomy also relies on imaging techniques such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and endoscopy, as well as histological analysis under the microscope and three-dimensional modeling.

Terminology: A standardized framework uses the anatomical position and directional terms (anterior/ventral, posterior/dorsal, superior/cranial, inferior/caudal, medial/lateral, proximal/distal) to describe location, as well as anatomical planes like sagittal, coronal, and transverse.

History and significance: Early descriptions date to ancient civilizations; Vesalius' 1543 De humani corporis fabrica advanced modern human anatomy, which later expanded with radiology and imaging. Anatomy is foundational to medicine, surgery, radiology, physical therapy, and biology education, providing a map of the body's structure essential for diagnosis, treatment, and research.