Anatomy

We explain what anatomy is and what this science studies. Types of anatomy and examples of the systems and apparatus of anatomy.

What is Anatomy?

Anatomy is a science that studies the structure of living beings that is, the location and arrangement of its organs (such as bones, muscles and viscera) and the relationship that exists between them. The structure of living beings is also called anatomy. This term is widely used in sciences such as medicine and biology.

The word anatomy It comes from Greek and is composed of the adverb Ann (what does it mean above) and the verb I took (what does it mean court either incision) . The combination of these words formed the term anatémneinwhich means “to cut from top to bottom” and also “to dissect.” The origin of the word anatomy is not random, since the basis of this science consists of dissecting corpses for study. Those who study any branch of biology must study the anatomy of their objects of study, whether human or animal, including plants.

Thanks to the contributions of anatomical studies, it was possible and can be done great discoveries in science . These findings, together with the advancement of technology, allow scientists to continue discovering more and more events, and even develop tools with different applications (such as vaccines and prostheses, among other examples).

Within anatomy, there are many subdivisions, such as:

• Systematic or descriptive anatomy. Separates the body into systems.
• Clinical or applied anatomy. Relates diagnosis and treatment.
• Comparative anatomy Compare human anatomy with that of other animals.
• Pathological anatomy It is dedicated to the study of the deterioration of tissues, organs and systems.
• Functional or physiological anatomy. Study the functions of the organs.
• Plant anatomy. Branch of botany dedicated to the study of the internal structure of plants.
• Animal or veterinary anatomy It is dedicated to the study and description of the bodies of animals.
• Human anatomy. It is dedicated to the study and description of the human body.

Apparatus and systems of human anatomy

Although very frequently The terms “system” and “device” are used as synonyms, in practice they are not . In the context of the human body, a system refers to a set of organs similar in origin and structure, whose objective is to work together to perform a specific physiological function in the body.

The human body systems group together organs that are made up of similar tissues. Besides, A device is a set of systems that contribute to fulfilling the same function and its organization is usually more complex than that of a system. Furthermore, unlike systems, devices are composed of organs whose tissues are diverse or heterogeneous.

Different systems and devices are identified in the human body, among which are:

• Endocrine system. It is responsible for the production of hormones that regulate metabolism, sexual function and growth of the body. It is made up of endocrine glands (hormone producers), located in different parts of the body.
• Nervous system. It is responsible for processing stimuli and generating appropriate responses (synaptic and communication processes of the brain). It is made up of the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves that run throughout the body).
• Skeletal or bone system It is responsible for giving structure, support and mobility to the body. It is made up of 206 bones.
• Immune system. It is responsible for defending the body from any infectious agent (such as viruses or bacteria) that threatens its normal functioning. It is made up of a set of specialized cells (different types of white blood cells or leukocytes) and lymph nodes.
• Muscular system It is responsible for allowing the different movements of the body. It is made up of 650 muscles of different types.
• Cardiovascular system It is responsible for the distribution of blood throughout the body. This device allows cells to receive nutrients and other substances that travel through the blood, and also collects waste and transports it to organs that eliminate or metabolize it for elimination. It is made up of the heart, the different types of blood vessels (veins, arteries and capillaries) and blood.
• Digestive system. It is responsible for the processing and transformation of food into usable nutrients, and its subsequent assimilation. It is made up of the digestive tract (composed of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestine and anus) and the adjacent glands (such as the liver, pancreas and salivary glands).
• Respiratory system. It is responsible for allowing gas exchange (entry and use of oxygen and elimination of carbon dioxide), essential for the functioning of the body. It is made up of the nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, trachea, lungs and the diaphragm.
• Reproductive device. It is responsible for carrying out the production of gametes and other functions related to sexual reproduction. It is different in the different sexes: in men it is formed by the male sexual organs (such as the testicles and penis) and in women by the female sexual organs (such as the uterus and ovaries).
• Locomotive system. It is responsible for allowing locomotion, that is, the movement of the body. It is made up of the joint, muscular and skeletal systems, coordinated by the nervous system.
• Excretory system. It is responsible for the elimination of waste produced and toxic substances from the body. It is formed by the kidneys (in which urine is produced) and other excretory pathways.