Surface anatomy

2024-09-28T17:50:51Z

87.120.102.59: /* In other animals */

{{Short description|Study of the external features of the body of an animal}}
[[File:Surface projections of the organs of the trunk.png|thumb|Surface projections of the major organs of the [[Trunk (anatomy)|trunk]], using the [[Human vertebral column|vertebral column]] and [[Human rib cage|rib cage]] as main reference points of surface anatomy.]]

'''Surface anatomy''' (also called '''superficial anatomy''' and '''visual anatomy''') is the study of the external features of the body of an animal.<ref name="Seeley2003p2">Seeley (2003) chap.1 p.2</ref> In [[Bird anatomy|birds]], this is termed ''topography''. Surface anatomy deals with anatomical features that can be studied by sight, without [[dissection]]. As such, it is a branch of [[gross anatomy]], along with [[endoscopy|endoscopic]] and [[radiology|radiological]] anatomy.<ref name="Standring2008p2">Standring (2008) ''Introduction'', ''Anatomical nomenclature'', p.2</ref> Surface anatomy is a descriptive science.<ref>{{cite web |title=Journal of Morphology and Anatomy Surface Anatomy |url=https://www.hilarispublisher.com/scholarly/surface-anatomy-journals-articles-ppts-list-1113.html |website=Hilaris |access-date=1 June 2021}}</ref> In particular, in the case of '''human surface anatomy''', these are the form and proportions of the human body and the surface landmarks which correspond to deeper structures hidden from view, both in static pose and in motion.

In addition, the science of surface anatomy includes the theories and systems of [[body proportions]] and related artistic canons.{{citation needed|date=June 2012}} The study of surface anatomy is the basis for depicting the human body in classical [[art]].

Some [[pseudo-science]]s such as [[physiognomy]], [[phrenology]] and [[palmistry]] rely on surface anatomy.

==Human surface anatomy==

===Surface anatomy of the thorax===
[[Image:Gray1216.svg|thumb|left|Front of [[thorax]], showing surface relations of [[bone]]s, [[lungs]] (purple), [[pleura]] (blue), and [[heart]] (red outline). [[Heart valves]] are labeled with "B", "T", "A", and "P".<br /><br />First heart sound: caused by atrioventricular valves - [[Bicuspid valve|Bicuspid/Mitral]] (B) and [[Tricuspid valve|Tricuspid]] (T). <br /><br />Second heart sound caused by semilunar valves -- [[Aortic valve|Aortic]] (A) and [[Pulmonary valve|Pulmonary/Pulmonic]] (P).]]

Knowledge of the surface anatomy of the [[chest|thorax]] (chest) is particularly important because it is one of the areas most frequently subjected to [[physical examination]], like [[auscultation]] and [[Percussion (medicine)|percussion]].<ref name="Drake2009p224">Drake (2009) Ch.3 ''Thorax - Thorax surface anatomy'', pp. 224-6 and Fig. 3.96 A</ref> In cardiology, '''Erb's point''' refers to the third [[intercostal space]] on the left sternal border where [[S2 (heart sound)#S2|S2 heart sound]] is best auscultated.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://classes.kumc.edu/son/nurs352/Module_4/printable.htm |title=Week 4 |access-date=2007-10-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080129053057/http://classes.kumc.edu/son/nurs352/Module_4/printable.htm |archive-date=2008-01-29 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_n4_v67/ai_20972813/pg_5 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120710075356/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FSL/is_n4_v67/ai_20972813/pg_5 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-07-10 |title=Cardiac anatomy and physiology: a review - includes examination questions AORN Journal - Find Articles |access-date=2007-10-11 |work=AORN Journal |first=Mary |last=Gavaghan |year=1998 }}</ref> Some sources include the fourth left interspace.<ref name="isbn0-7817-2168-7">{{cite book |author=Constant, Jules |title=Bedside cardiology |publisher=Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |location=Hagerstwon, MD |year=1999 |pages=228 |isbn=0-7817-2168-7 }}</ref>

Human female [[breast]]s are located on the chest wall, most frequently between the second and sixth [[rib]].<ref name="Drake2009p224"/>
{{Clear}}

===Anatomical landmarks===
# On the trunk of the body in the thoracic area, the shoulder in general is the [[acromial]], while the curve of the shoulder is the [[deltoid muscle|deltoid]].
# The back as a general area is the [[Dorsum (anatomy)|dorsum]] or dorsal area, and the lower back as the limbus or [[lumbar region]].
# The shoulderblades are the [[scapula]]r area and the breastbone is the [[sternum|sternal]] region.
# The [[abdomen|abdominal area]] is the region between the chest and the [[pelvis]].
# The breast is called the mamma or mammary, the armpit as the [[axilla]] and axillary, and the [[navel]] as the umbilicus and [[umbilical region|umbilical]].
# The pelvis is the lower torso, between the abdomen and the [[thigh]]s.
# The [[groin]], where the thigh joins the trunk, are the inguen and inguinal area.
# The entire arm is referred to as the brachium and brachial, the front of the elbow as the antecubitis and [[antecubital (disambiguation)|antecubital]], the back of the elbow as the [[olecranon]] or olecranal, the [[forearm]] as the antebrachium and antebrachial, the [[wrist]] as the [[Carpal bones|carpus]] and carpal area, the [[hand]] as the manus and manual, the palm as the palma and palmar, the [[thumb]] as the pollex, and the [[finger]]s as the digits, [[phalanx bone|phalanges]], and phalangeal.
# The [[buttocks]] are the gluteus or gluteal region and the pubic area is the [[pubis bone|pubis]].
# Anatomists divide the lower limb into the thigh (the part of the limb between the [[hip]] and the [[knee]]) and the leg (which refers only to the area of the limb between the knee and the [[ankle]]).
# The thigh is the [[femur]] and the femoral region.
# The kneecap is the [[patella]] and patellar while the back of the knee is the popliteus and popliteal area.
# The leg (between the knee and the ankle) is the crus and crural area, the lateral aspect of the leg is the [[wikt:peroneal|peroneal]] area, and the calf is the sura and sural region.
# The ankle is the tarsus and tarsal, and the heel is the calcaneus or calcaneal. The foot is the pes and pedal region, and the sole of the foot the planta and plantar.
# As with the fingers, the toes are also called the digits, phalanges, and phalangeal area.
# The big toe is referred to as the hallux.

==List of features==
Following are lists of surface anatomical features in humans and other animals. Sorted roughly from head to tail, [[cranium|cranial]] to [[tail|caudal]]. [[Homology (biology)|Homologues]] share a bullet point and are separated by commas. Subcomponents are nested. Class in which component occurs in ''italic''.

=== In humans ===
{{Main|List of human anatomical features}}

=== In other animals ===
*[[Head]]
*[[Tentacle]] ''[[Cephalopoda]]''
**[[Antler]]
**[[Sagittal crest|Crest]]
**[[Hood (cobra anatomy)|Hood]]
**[[Horn (anatomy)|Horn]]
**[[Mane (horse)|Mane]]
**[[Eye]]
**[[Ear#Other animals|Ear]]
**[[Snout]]
***[[Nose]], [[Elephant#Trunk|Trunk]]
****[[Nostril]]
***[[Vibrissae|Whiskers]]
***[[Beak]] ''[[Aves]] only'', [[Mouth]]
****[[Lip#Other animals|Lip]] ''not in [[Aves]]''
*****[[Philtrum]]
****[[Jaw]] ''not in [[Aves]]''
****[[Gums]] ''not in [[Aves]]''
****[[Teeth]] ''not in [[Aves]]'', [[Tusk]]
****[[Tongue#Other animals|Tongue]]
*[[Throat]]
**[[Vocal sac]] ''[[Ranidae]]''
*[[Vertebral column#Other animals|Vertebral column]] (extends [[Dorsum (biology)|dorsally]])
**[[Thorax#Other animals|Thorax]]
**[[Udder]], [[Mammary gland#Other mammals|Mammary gland]]
**[[Gills]]
**[[Arm#Other animals|Arm]] ''[[Mammal]]ia'', ''[[Amphibia]]'', [[Fin]] ''[[Fish]]'', [[Wing]] ''[[Aves]]''
**[[Elbow#Other primates|Elbow]]
**[[Hand#Evolution|Hand]]
**[[Finger#Land vertebrate fingers|Fingers]] ([[Thumb#Other primates|Thumb]]: [[Primate]])
**[[Knee#Other animals|Knee]]
**[[Leg]]
**[[Foot#Other animals|Foot]]
*** [[Toe#Other animals|Toe]]
****[[Hoof]], [[Claw]], [[Nail (anatomy)]], [[Nail (beak)]]
****[[Webbed foot|Webbing]]
*[[Abdomen#Other animals|Abdomen]]
**[[Pouch (marsupial)|Pouch]] ''[[Marsupialia]]''
**[[Gastrointestinal tract#Other animals|Gastro]]-[[genitourinary system]]
***[[Vulva#Other animals|Vulva]] (female) ''[[Placentalia]]''
***[[Penis]] (male) ''[[Amniota]]''
***[[Scrotum#Other animals|Scrotum]] (male) ''[[Boreoeutheria]]''
***[[Urogenital papilla]]e ''[[Teleost]]ei''
***[[Cloaca]] ''[[Aves]]'', ''[[Elasmobranchii]]'', ''[[Reptilia]]'', ''[[Amphibia]]'', ''[[Monotremata]]'', ''[[Sarcopterygii]]''
***[[Anus]] ''[[Theria]]'', ''[[Teleost]]ei'', ''[[Invertebrate]]s''
*[[Skin]] ''[[Vertebrate|Vertebrata]]''
**[[Feather]] ''[[Aves]]'', [[Scale (zoology)|Scale]], [[Hair]] ''[[Mammal]]ia'', [[Fur]] ''[[Mammal]]ia''
**[[Exoskeleton|Shell]]
**[[Tail]]

==See also==
{{Commons category|Surface anatomy}}
* [[Anatomy]]
* [[Inspection (medicine)]]
* List of images in Gray's Anatomy: XII. Surface anatomy and Surface Markings
* [[Palpation]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book|last1=Drake|first1=Richard|last2=Vogl|first2=A. Wayne|last3=Mitchell|first3=Adam W. M.|title=Gray's Anatomy for Students|date=2009|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=9781437720556|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ozrqnzzhFwC|edition=2nd|access-date=28 February 2014|pages=157–164, 311–320, 538–547, 686–694, 882–892, 1097–1110, 1514–1524}}
* {{cite book|last1=Seeley|first1=Rod R.|last2=Stephens|first2=Trent D.|last3=Tate|first3=Philip|title=Anatomy & physiology|year=2002|publisher=McGraw & Hill|edition=6th|isbn=978-0-07-235113-2}}
* Standring, Susan (2008) ''[[Gray's Anatomy]]: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice'', 39th Edition. {{ISBN|978-0-443-07168-3}}. Human surface anatomy photos at pp. 947, 1406-1410 Figs. 56.3, 110.12, 110.13, 110.15, 110.22

==Further reading==
* {{cite book|last1=Frederick|first1=Roland Becker|last2=Wilson|first2=James Walter|last3=Gehweiler|first3=John A.|title=The anatomical basis of medical practice|publisher=Williams and Wilkins|year=1971|edition=illustrated}}
* {{cite book|last=Lumley|first=John S. P.|title=Surface Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Examination|date=2008|publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences|isbn=978-0-7020-4776-3|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NCSY4EvsDhYC|edition=4th|access-date=28 February 2014}}
* {{cite book|last1=Rohen|first1=Johannes Wilhelm|author-link1=Johannes W. Rohen|last2=Yokochi|first2=Chihiro|last3=Lütjen-Drecoll|first3=Elke|year=2011|title=Color Atlas of Anatomy – A Photographic Study of the Human Body|url=https://archive.org/details/coloratlasanatom00rohe|url-access=limited|edition=7th|publisher=Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins|isbn=978-1-58255-856-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/coloratlasanatom00rohe/page/n217 204]–5, 476–7}}
* {{cite book|last=Sheppard|first=Joseph|year=1991|title=''Drawing the Living Figure''|isbn=0-486-26723-7|publisher=Dover Publications, Incorporated}}

{{Anatomy}}
{{Human regional anatomy}}
{{Superficial axial anatomy}}

[[Category:Anatomy]]
[[Category:Human anatomy]]
[[Category:Human body]]
[[Category:Human surface anatomy]]

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Surface anatomy