CLINICAL ANATOMY: HISTORY, WHAT IT STUDIES, METHODS, TECHNIQUES - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2024

The clinical anatomy or applied is a branch of the general anatomy studying the function and structure of the elements of the human body, based on the possible scenarios medical-clinical nature. This means that clinical anatomy is used in the practices of dentistry, medicine or other auxiliary health sciences.

In turn, this discipline must use other scientific branches to carry out its development, such as surgical anatomy, morphogenetic anatomy and radiological anatomy.

Dentist in action. Source: pixabay

In some cases, clinical anatomy may need or be supplemented by embryology, as it allows you to address congenital diseases.

Professor Eugenia Sol, in her text Applied Anatomy (nd), established that clinical anatomy systematizes the scientific knowledge that defines man as a biological being, following both a general and a particular perspective.

The author also determined that this discipline focuses mainly on the functioning of the cardiopulmonary, locomotor, and regulation and control systems.

With this, clinical anatomy seeks to increase the understanding of the human body in order to guarantee excellence when performing surgical interventions.

History

Clinical anatomy was not conceived as a scientific discipline until the 19th century, since in its beginnings it was considered as a part of general anatomy.

After the creation of the encyclopedias and with the arrival of positivism, general anatomy was divided into different branches, with the aim of turning it into a more accessible and organized form of knowledge.

Consequently, it can be established that clinical anatomy was born together with the first anatomical studies carried out by man. However, the term "clinical" was coined a long time later, with the development of science and with the massification of knowledge.

In classical antiquity

The Greek civilization was one of the first societies to dedicate itself to the study of anatomy.

These first approaches to the discipline happened thanks to the scientific curiosity of scholars such as Alcmeón de Crotona (500 -450 BC), who through dissection was able to establish the differences between the reproductive organs of plants and animals.

Another Greek scientist who founded the foundations of anatomy was Erasistratus de Cos (304-250 BC), who managed to describe the chyliferous vessels. Erasistratus also showed that both veins and arteries start in the heart. In addition, he was able to describe the sigmoid valves and bronchial vessels.

In the middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, interest in the human body faded slightly, since at that time the soul was considered more important. Despite this, researchers have managed to find some books on anatomy that date back to this period, found mainly in monastic libraries.

Mondino di Luzzi (1276-1326) was one of the few scholars who dared to challenge ecclesiastical authority through the dissection of corpses, which was prohibited at the time. Thanks to this, di Luzzi was a pioneer in describing the female genital organs.

With the arrival of the Renaissance, the human being became the main subject of study, which allowed to regain interest in the body.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) was one of the most important figures for the development of anatomy as a science, since he made hundreds of anatomical and physiological drawings where he recorded his scientific observations.

Modern age: discovery of X-rays

In 1895, the physicist Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays, which represented an extraordinary advance for clinical anatomy. This was an improvement in surgical practices. With this method, anatomists were able to study not only the bones, but also the organs and tissues of living things.

At present, the evolution of this device has made it possible to obtain three-dimensional images of the tissues, which allows anatomists to know the patient's condition more quickly and easily.

What is studying (object of study)

The word "Anatomy" comes from the Greek "anatomé", which is translated as "dissection". Consequently, it can be established that anatomy is a science that studies the structure and shape of body parts through the dissection of organisms.

Clinical anatomy -as a branch of general anatomy- uses the bases of anatomical studies but focuses on practical development, which is why it is applied in other surgical sciences such as medicine or dentistry.

The main objective of clinical anatomy is to solve medical problems. Therefore, it uses anatomical knowledge to link disease processes with patients' symptoms. In this way, scientists can establish a diagnosis and offer certain treatments.

Methods and techniques

X-rays

An essential method used by clinical anatomy is the use of X-rays. This tool allows anatomists to easily recognize the problem or phenomenon that the patient is experiencing.

X-rays consist of electromagnetic radiation that passes through opaque elements or bodies and then prints photographic film. This radiation is invisible to the human eye.

X-rays are electromagnetic radiation that passes through opaque elements and then prints photographic film Source: pixabay.com

Surgical anatomy

Clinical anatomy needs the methods of surgical anatomy to be able to develop as a discipline, since the latter allows the practical execution of clinical knowledge.

In conclusion, it can be established that clinical anatomy and surgical anatomy are two scientific branches that work in unison so that surgeons can develop surgical procedures successfully.

Computed tomography angiography

Angiography is a variant of tomography that allows anatomists to observe the flow of venous and arterial vessels in the body.

In fact, angiography can record everything from the blood supply to the kidneys and lungs to the circulatory circuits of the brain. For all these reasons, angiography is a method widely used by clinical anatomy.

This technique works through the combination of computerized image analysis with the use of X-rays and is highly recommended by patients, since it is not uncomfortable. Also, angiography does not have as many side effects as conventional CT scans.

References

1. Bogduk, N. (1982) The clinical anatomy. Retrieved on September 30, 2019 from Europe PMC: europcm.og
2. Canoso, J. (2011) Clinical anatomy: a basic discipline. Retrieved on September 30, 2019 from Clinical Rheumatology: reumatologiaclinica.org
3. Fowler, M. (1991) Comparative clinical anatomy of ratites. Retrieved on October 1, 2019 from JSTOR: jstor.org
4. Moore, K. (2010) Clinically Oriented Anatomy. Retrieved on September 30, 2019 from Bibioteca Clea: clea.edu.mx
5. Remington, L. (2011) Clinical anatomy of the visual system. Retrieved on September 30, 2019 from Google books: books.google.com
6. SA (sf) Human anatomy. Retrieved on September 30, 2019 from Wikipedia: es.wikipedia.org
7. Sillau, J. (2005) History of anatomy. Retrieved on September 30, 2019 from BV Magazines: sisbib.unmsm.edu.pe
8. Snell, R. (2004) Clinical anatomy: an illustrated review with questions and explanations. Retrieved on September 30, 2019 from Google books: books.google.com
9. Sol, E. (sf) Applied anatomy. Retrieved on September 30, 2019 from Monographs: monogramas.com