surface Anatomy

(noun)

The study of anatomical landmarks that can be identified by observing the surface of the body. Sometimes called superficial anatomy.

Related Terms

Examples of surface Anatomy in the following topics:

  • Defining Anatomy

    • There are two major types of anatomy.
    • Surface anatomy (or superficial anatomy) is the study of external anatomical features without dissection.
    • Systemic anatomy focuses on the anatomy of different organ systems, such as the respiratory or nervous system.
    • Regional anatomy is widely used in modern teaching because it is easier to apply to a clinical setting than systemic anatomy.
    • Surface anatomy is also widely used to gauge the position and structure of deeper organs, tissues, and systems.

  • Anatomy of the Gallbladder

  • Anatomy of the Pancreas

    • 1: Head of pancreas 2: Uncinate process of pancreas 3: Pancreatic notch 4: Body of pancreas 5: Anterior surface of pancreas 6: Inferior surface of pancreas 7: Superior margin of pancreas 8: Anterior margin of pancreas 9: Inferior margin of pancreas 10: Omental tuber 11: Tail of pancreas 12: Duodenum.

  • Directional Terms

    • These words are used more often for animal anatomy and rarely and only with very specific meaning in human anatomy.
    • These are mostly used with animal anatomy, but can be used in human anatomy as long as they are describing the side of an appendage.
    • Superficial is used to describe structures that are closer to the exterior surface of the body.

  • Anatomy of the Small Intestine

    • The inner surface of the jejunum, its mucous membrane, is covered in projections called villi, which increase the surface area of tissue available to absorb nutrients from the gut contents.
    • The wall itself is made up of folds, each of which has many tiny finger-like projections known as villi on its surface.
    • The ileum has an extremely large surface area both for the adsorption of enzyme molecules and for the absorption of products of digestion.

  • RBC Anatomy

    • These cells have an average volume of about 90 femtoliters (fL) with a surface area of about 136 square micrometers.
    • Diagram the anatomy of an erythrocyte (red blood cell, or RBC)

  • Anatomy of the Large Intestine

    • The appendix is attached to its inferior surface of the cecum.
    • On the surface of the large intestine, bands of longitudinal muscle fibers called taeniae coli, each about 0.2 inches wide, can be identified.

  • Anatomy of the Digestive System

    • It contains the plicae circulares and villi to increase the surface area of that part of the GI Tract.

  • Location and External Anatomy of the Kidneys

    • Adhering to the surface of each kidney are two layers of fat to help cushion them.

  • Functional Anatomy of the Respiratory System

    • The reason for the elastic recoil of the lung is the surface tension from water molecules on the epithelium of the lungs.
    • A molecule called surfactant (secreted by the alveoli) prevents the surface tension from becoming too great and collapsing the lungs.