anatomie

Anatomie, commonly rendered as anatomy in English, is the branch of biology concerned with the structure of living organisms. It seeks to describe the organization of the body from cells to tissues, organs, and organ systems, and to relate structure to function. The term anatomy derives from Greek ana ('up, apart') and temnein ('to cut').

Anatomy is divided into several subfields. Gross or macroscopic anatomy studies structures visible without a microscope, while microscopic anatomy (histology) examines tissues at the cellular level. Developmental anatomy (embryology) researches changes from conception through maturity. Other subdisciplines include neuroanatomy, regional anatomy, and systemic anatomy.

Methods for studying anatomy include dissection, imaging technologies such as X-ray radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound, as well as histological examination and microscopic techniques. Digital models, atlases, and 3D reconstructions are increasingly used in education and research.

Historically, anatomy has roots in ancient civilizations and was advanced by Greek and Roman physicians, with Galen influencing medical thought for centuries. The Renaissance brought systematic human dissection and Vesalius's De humani corporis fabrica, reshaping anatomical knowledge. In the modern era, standardized terminology, such as Terminologia Anatomica, facilitates international communication.

Beyond humans, comparative anatomy studies structural similarities and differences among species. Anatomy remains foundational to medicine, biology, and related fields, informing surgery, diagnosis, and our understanding of organismal design and evolution.