BIOL 470/570 SECTIONAL ANATOMY
DR. JEFF MELDRUM
OBJECTIVES
Introduction & Overview
Appreciate the historical background of cross-sectional anatomy.
Match historical figures with advances in sectional anatomy.
Understand directional terms and define planes of section.
Body Cavities and Compartments
Define the “anterior”and “posterior” body cavities.
Identify the boundaries of the vertebral and cranial cavities.
Identify the boundaries of the thoracic and abdominopelvic cavities.
Define a serous membrane and identify the pleural, pericardial and peritoneal cavities.
Interpreting Sections
Be able to visually translate a 3-D object into a series of 2-D slices, and vice versa.
Spine
Know the number and distinguishing features of each vertebral type.
Note the changes in shape of the vertebral canal along the length of the spine.
Know the structure of the intervertebral disc and variation in thickness.
Define the vertebral prominens and its significance; lengths and orientation of spinous processes.
Surface Anatomy & Relationships of Thoracic Organs
Identify bony & soft tissue landmarks on the surface of the thorax.
Define the surface projection of the pleural cavities and the lungs.
Define the surface projections of the diaphragm, tracheal bifurcation, heart, aorta, esophagus.
Identify typical vertebral levels for each of the above.
How much do positions vary between standing or reclining?
Lungs
Describe the relationships of the pulmonary vessels and bronchi at the hilum.
Review the topography of the lobes of the lungs and the intervening fissures.
Examine the dried dog lung and compare its bronchiole tree to a human’s.
Examine embedded sections 49-56.
Mediastinum
Define the boundaries of the mediastinum and its subdivisions (anatomical and clinical).
Trace the esophagus. What are its relationships to the Tracheo, aorta, heart, and vertebral bodies?
Identify other structures located within the mediastinum.
Review embedded sections 49-56, giving attention to these structures.
Heart
Review a heart prosection and trace the flow of blood through the heart, noting chambers valves and vessels.
Define the positions of the chambers of the heart and great vessels.
Examine embedded sections 50-56.
Surface anatomy and Relationships of Abdominal Organs
Upper Abdomen: Transpyloric Plane
Identify the organs and structures on the TPP and their relative positions.
Define the greater omental sac and its regions; define the lesser omental sac.
Examine the cadavers and models to appreciate the 3-D relationships.
Examine embedded sections 46-48.
Retroperitoneal Organs & Lower Abdomen
Understand the relationships of the kidneys to the peritoneal cavity.
Distinguish para- and perirenal fascia; Gerotta’s fascia.
Observe the course of the ureters and their relationship to the psoas muscles.
Examine embedded sections 44-48.
What portions of the lower G.I. are retroperitoneal? What effect does this have on their mobility and position?
Abdominal Vasculature
Know the branches of the abdominal aorta and their courses; vertebral levels.
Differentiate the venous drainage of the abdominal viscera
Examine embedded sections 38-50.
View an abdominal aorta angiogram.
Surface Anatomy & Relationships of the Pelvic Organs
Review the bony and soft tissue landmarks of the pelvic region.
Be able to orient the disarticulated pelvis in anatomical position.
Note the gender differences in the male and female pelvis.
Identify the principal structures of the male and female reproductive tracts and appreciate their relationships to the
bladder and rectum.
Examine plastic models of the male and female pelves in sagittal section.
Examine embedded sections 38-40.
Relationships in the Cranium
Review the bones of the neurocranium and viscerocranium.
Define the three cranial fossae and the foramina found in each.
Note the flexion of the cranial base; locate the hypophyseal fossa and the clivus.
Examine the exploded skull.
Face
Note the relative positions of the anterior cranial fossa, orbits, nasal fossa, and paranasal sinuses.
Identify the contents of the orbit.
Note the relationships of the mandible to the cranium; structure of the TMJ.
Examine embedded sections H1-H3.
Brain
Identify the meningeal coverings of the brain and septal reflections.
Identify the ventricles, and correlate their relationship to brain structures.
Trace the flow of the CSF and identify cisterns.
Identify the lobes of the cerebral hemispheres and the cerebellum and their relationships to the cranial fossae.
Correlate the appearance of structures seen in coronal, sagittal, and horizontal sections.
Brainstem
Examine the models of the brainstem and sketch its cross-sectional outlines at various levels.
Identify pons, medulla, pyramids, colliculi, peduncles.
What are their relationships to the ventricles and cisterns?
Intracranial Vasculature
Identify the two principal arterial supplies to the brain.
Diagram the major arteries associated with the circle of Willis.
Trace the cerebral arteries and their distributions.
Examine the arteries on an embalmed brain.
Study vertebral and carotid angiograms.
Describe the venous return from the brain.
Identify the dural sinuses.
Cranial nerves
Identify the function and course of the cranial nerves.
Correlate their points of origin on the brainstem with their respective bony foramina, etc.
Neck
Distinguish the vertebral compartment from the visceral compartment.
Locate the roots of the brachial plexus; vagus nerve (CN X).
Examine a model of the larynx; identify its cartilages.
Locate the true and false vocal cords, laryngeal ventricle, pyriform recess, subglottic space.
Identify the hyoid bone.
Examine the neck in sagittal section.
Identify the regions of the pharynx.
Examine embedded sections 55-56, N1-N2.
Organization of the Upper Extremity
Distinguish between superficial fascia, deep fascia, intermuscular septae, and muscle compartments.
Identify neurovascular bundles.
Describe the correlation of branches of the brachial plexus and arteries with muscle compartments.
Trace superficial veins.
Shoulder & Arm
Review the bony landmarks of the proximal humerus and scapula.
Identify the tendons of the rotator cuff.
Define the boundaries and contents of the axilla.
Identify the major nerves and arteries associated with the anterior and posterior compartments of the arm.
Elbow & Forearm
Review the bony landmarks of the distal humerus, and proximal radius and ulna.
Define the cubital fossa and its contents.
Identify the major arteries and nerves associated with the anterior and posterior compartments of the forearm.
View embedded sections A3-8.
Wrist & Hand
Identify the individual carpals, metacarpals and phalanges.
Describe the spatial relationships of the proximal and distal row of carpals
Define the carpal tunnel and its contents.
Examine embedded sections A1-2.
Organization of the Lower Extremity
Distinguish between superficial fascia, deep fascia, intermuscular septae, and muscle compartments.
Identify neurovascular bundles.
Describe the correlation of branches of the lumbosacral plexus and arteries with muscle compartments.
Trace superficial veins.
Hip & Thigh
Review the bony landmarks of the proximal femur and pelvis.
Identify the femoral triangle and its contents.
Correlate the major arteries and nerves associated with the muscle compartments of the thigh.
Examine embedded sections 25-29.
Knee & Leg
Review the bony landmarks of the distal femur and proximal tibia and fibula.
Define the popliteal fossa and its contents.
Correlate the major nerves and arteries associated with the muscle compartments.
Identify the cruciate ligaments and menisci and their attachments.
Examine embedded sections 7-25.
Ankle & Foot
Review the bony landmarks of the distal tibia and fibula, talus and calcaneus, and name the remaining tarsals,
metatarsals and phalanges.
Identify tendons associated with the ankle.
Correlate the major nerves and arteries with the muscle compartment.
Examine embedded sections 1-7.