Types of Anatomy

Anatomy is divided into two categories:

• Macroscopic or Gross Anatomy: The study of anatomical aspects of the organs or systems that are visible to the unaided eye is known as macroscopic anatomy. It includes elements like the body’s internal organs and external features.
• Microscopic Anatomy: The microscopic components (tissues and cells) that constitute the larger structures are the focus of this area of anatomy. Therefore, the study of these structures in microscopic anatomy is dependent upon the use of microscopes.

Macroscopic or Gross Anatomy

Anatomical characteristics that are visible to the unaided eye are referred to as macroscopic or gross anatomy. The main point is that information may be obtained solely by using eyes.

The three further categories of macroscopic or gross anatomy are:

• Surface Anatomy (the outside body): The external anatomical features that may be seen without dissection are the focus of surface anatomy. It is also known as superficial anatomy,
• Regional Anatomy (certain bodily areas): The study of specific interior or external body regions and the interactions and cooperation between various body parts is known as regional anatomy.
• Systemic Anatomy (particular organ systems): The study of different organ systems and their structures, such as the respiratory or digestive systems, is known as systemic anatomy.

Microscopic Anatomy

The study of tiny components that combine to generate larger structures at the level of tissues or cells is known as microscopic anatomy. Thus, the use of microscopes is essential to the study of microscopic anatomy. It is further separated into two categories: histology (tissue) and cytology (cells).

• Histology: The scientific field of histology examines the microscopic structure of living tissues. It looks at the relationships that exist between structure and function. Knowing the causes of some diseases and whether or not a treatment has been effective is helpful.
• Cytology: Further investigation is done by cytology, which examines particular cell types, frequently from fluid specimens. It is mostly used for the detection of prenatal anomalies, the diagnosis of particular infectious agents, and cancer screening, particularly cervical cancer (pap smear).

Anatomy is the identification as well as the description of a living thing’s structural components. It falls under the fields of medicine and biology. Anatomy is the study of the body, its components, and its functions. This expression comes from the Greek verb “anatome,” which means “to cut open, to dissect.” The practice of medicine and other health-related fields requires an extensive knowledge of anatomy.