REGIONAL ANATOMY: HISTORY, OBJECT OF STUDY, METHODS - ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY - 2024

The regional anatomy, also known as topographic anatomy, is an approach to the anatomical study that is responsible for studying the human body dividing it into regions or parts. This study highlights the relationships of various systems on the same body region, such as the muscles, nerves and arteries of the arm or head.

With this approach to anatomy, the body is divided into large regions for study (head, trunk, and extremities), based on their shape, function, and size. In turn, these regions are subdivided into small segments, for example, in the extremities: the arm, the hand, among others.

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History

Anatomy has been one of the oldest basic science studies. It is estimated that it began to be a formal study approximately 500 years BC. C in Egypt. Since then the study of the structures that make up the human body has evolved, dividing into various disciplines.

Initially, in many societies dissections were only allowed in non-human animals. By the 17th century, dissection became an important subject in medical and anatomy studies, leading to the illegal obtaining of corpses.

Consequently, the British Parliament passed an anatomy act that established the legal provisions for medical schools to obtain donated or unclaimed bodies. Likewise, similar laws were passed in other countries, allowing a boom in anatomical study.

From then on, the great anatomists of the time were able to focus on the study of specific regions of the body, publishing important treatises and atlases that established new models in the representation of the human body, giving rise to regional anatomy.

One of the most important regional anatomists was Antonio Scarpa, who dedicated himself to the study of eyes, ears, chest, among others, publishing impressive and exuberant treatises.

What do you study?

Regional anatomy studies the parts of the human body and of other animals, generally domestic and of interest to man. In this method of study, the focus is on assessing the body structure in specific regions, ranging from macro to micro.

First, zones or parts are defined, as in the case of the human body, the head or an arm, and then this zone is divided into regions such as the hand and subregions such as the fingers. When studying the structures, the relationship between various systemic organizations such as muscles, nerves and arteries is taken into account.

Because regional anatomy deals with the study of organs and structures in a given region of the body and in addition to their functional interactions, it is very important that students in this area have a solid foundation of knowledge about systematic anatomy.

In medicine, both human and veterinary, regional and systematic anatomy are the basis of clinical knowledge.

In addition to this, regional anatomy is responsible for studying the body organization by layers, that is, from the epidermis, dermis to the connective tissue of the deeper structures such as muscles, skeleton and internal organs.

Body regions

In regional anatomy, the body is divided into three regions which are: head, thorax and extremities. In turn, these regions are made up of several subregions.

In the case of the head region, the head (skull and face) and neck are covered. The thorax, back, abdomen and pelvis-perineum are found in the trunk region, and the extremities are divided into upper and lower limbs.

Methods and techniques

The study of regional anatomy can be carried out by various methods, depending on whether a living or dead organism is being studied. In the case of the in vivo study of organisms, many current methods with diagnostic imaging equipment and endoscopy are useful.

One of the most widely used imaging methods is radiography, which is useful for analyzing internal structures and studying characteristics such as muscle tone, body fluids, and blood pressure. These characteristics are impossible to analyze in corpses.

Endoscopy involves the insertion of a fiberoptic instrument into the body to observe and examine internal structures such as the stomach.

Other methods such as the use of various computer programs, allows the study through interactivity and manipulation of two-dimensional and three-dimensional graphic elements. These tools make it possible to view planar images in sequence such as anatomical sections, CT scans, and MRIs.

Furthermore, it is possible to perform simulated dissections, separating the tissues by layers and allowing the visualization of the internal structures of the different body regions. Informatics has thus become a useful tool that facilitates aspects of instruction and review in regional anatomy.

Cadaver dissections

Dissection has been one of the oldest and most widely used regional anatomy study methods. It is about the exploration of the internal structures of corpses, providing, together with the didactic study, the most efficient learning method.

In dissections it is possible to observe, palpate, move and reveal in a sequential way the different internal parts of the organism. This method has become one of the most useful since it allows a detailed learning of the three-dimensional anatomy of internal structures and the relationships between them.

In a dissection, cuts are made, removing the skin and other subepidermal structures, until reaching the most internal regions to study the organs directly.

Surface anatomy

Some of the internal structures such as the musculature and some organs are easily evident from the external body lining, and the living individual can be studied by surface anatomy.

Surface anatomy is part of the regional anatomy approach and explains which structures are found under the skin, being susceptible to being palpated in the living individual, whether at rest or in motion.

This method requires extensive knowledge of the structures found under the skin, being able to easily distinguish unusual or abnormal characteristics on these structures through observation and tactile recognition.

The physical examination applied by palpation, inspection and auscultation, are clinical techniques used to explore a living organism.

Palpation is used to check the arterial pulsation. In addition, there are many useful medical equipment in the exploration of the study individual such as the ophthalmoscope that allows analyzing ocular characteristics, and the stethoscope for the auscultation of the heart and lungs.

References

1. König, HE, & Liebich, HG (2005). Anatomy of domestic animals: text and color atlas. Volume 2. Pan American Medical Ed.
2. Le Vay, D. (2008). Human anatomy and physiology. Ed. Paidotribo.
3. Monti, A. (1957). Antonio Scarpa in Scientific History and his Role in the Fortunes of the University of Pavia. Ed. Vigo Press.
4. Moore, KL & Dalley, AF (2009). Clinically oriented anatomy. Panamerican Medical Ed.
5. Moore KL & Agur, AMR (2007). Fundamentals of anatomy with clinical orientation. Panamerican Medical Ed.
6. Vargas, JR (2002). Topographic anatomy. Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez.