Outline of Human Anatomy for medical
students from foreign nationality
Department of Human Anatomy
1
Introduction
The Anatomical Position
A person in the anatomical position is standing erect
(or lying supine as if erect) with the head, eyes, and
toes directed forward, the upper limbs by the sides
with the palms facing forward and the lower limbs
together with the digits (toes) pointing forward.
Anterior and posterior
Superior and inferior
Medial and lateral
Intermediate. Between two structures
Proximal and distal
Superficial and deep
External (outer) and internal (inner)
Unit 1 Lower Limb
The anatomical planes
Anatomical description is also based on four
imaginary planes (median, sagittal, coronal, and
horizontal) that pass through the body in the
anatomical position.
The median plane: This is the imaginary vertical
plane passing longitudinally through the body,
dividing it right and left halves. The median plane
intersects the surface of the front and back of the
body at the anterior and posterior median line,
respectively.
The sagittal planes: These are imaginary vertical
planes passing through the body parallel to median
plane. These planes are named after the sagittal
suture of the skull, with which they are parallel. The
sagittal plane the passes through the median plane
of the body is often referred to as the median
sagittal plane, or the midsagittal plane.
The coronary planes: These are imaginary vertical
planes passing through the body at right angles to
median plane, dividing it into anterior and posterior
part. These planes are named after the coronal
suture of the skull, which is coronal plane. The
coronal plane is also referred to as the frontal plane.
The horizontal planes: these are imaging planes
passing through the body at right angles to both
median and coronal planes. It may help to
remember that they are parallel to horizon. A
horizontal plane divides the body into superior and
inferior parts. The horizontal plane is also referred
to as the transverse plane.
Terms of relations
Various adjectives are used to describe the
relationship of part of the body in the anatomical
position.
2
Hip bone, femur, and hip joint
The three portions of the hip bone, the visible
and palpable landmarks, such as, crest, tubercle,
spine, on the three bones.
The external feature of the femur: especially its
head, neck and its lower extremity.
The bony components of the hip joint: the
shapes of the head of the femur, and the acetabulum
of the hip bone. Note the other structures, which
enhance the stability. The movements permitted of
those joint, and the neurovascular supply of the
joint.
Muscles: the origins, insertions of the flexors,
adductors, and extensors of the hop joint; the
relationships between their positions with the joint
and their functions; the principle of nerve supply of
the muscles groups.
Thigh
Superficial structures: the origin, course,
tributaries, and confluence of the long saphenous
vein, and its relationships with bony landmarks; the
superficial lymph nodes lying along the upper
portion of the saphenous vein or inguinal ligament;
the cutaneous nerves which supply the skin of the
thigh; the anatomical characteristics of the deep
fascia of the thigh, and its thickened and weakened
portions.
The anterior and medial regions of the thigh:

The formation and subdivisions of the femoral
sheath, the position and formation of the
saphenous opening, and the formation and
contents of the femoral canal.

The origins, insertions, functions, and
innervations of the muscles in the anterior
region of the thigh.
The boundaries, shapes of the femoral triangle,
the structures in it. The communications of it
with other portion of the lower limb.

The origin, courses of the femoral artery, and
its main branches in the thigh. The
relationships of the femoral vein, when it
passes through the apex of the femoral triangle
and behind the inguinal ligament.

The surface anatomy of the femoral artery,
femoral vein and femoral nerve at the base of
femoral triangle.
Gluteal region and posterior region of the thigh:

The arrangement of the muscles on the gluteal
region, and their origins, insertions functions
and innervation, including small lateral rotators
of the hip.

The courses, distributions of the blood vessels
and nerves, which emerge above or below the
piriformis.

The origins, insertions, functions, and
innervations of the muscles in the posterior
region of the thigh. The concept of the
hamstring muscles.

The formation, courses, and distributions of the
sciatic nerve, and its anatomy in the gluteal
region.

Knee
Knee joint:

The features of the bones which take part in
the formation of the knee joint.

The attachment of the capsule of the joint, the
extent of the synovial sac of the joint, and the
structures which increase the stability or
mobility of this joint, including the ligaments,
menisci, etc.

The movements permitted on the knee joint,
and the muscles producing movement of these
joint.
Popliteal fossa: The shape, boundaries of the
popliteal fossa, and the structures on it. Note the
courses, arrangement, and branches of the blood
vessels and nerves in it.
Leg and foot
The characteristics of the bones which located
in leg and foot; the formation of the arches of
the foot, and the factors which maintain the
arches.

The articular surfaces of the bones comprising
the ankle joint, and the capsule, ligaments of
the joint.

The movements of the ankle joint and foot, the
invertion and evertion of the foot.

The origins, insertions, functions, and
innervations of the muscles which act on the
ankle joint and foot.

The relationships of the long tendons of the
muscles of the leg with the ankle joint.

The characteristics of the deep fascia of the leg,
and its thickenings in the region of the ankle
joint, i.e., retinacula.

The courses of the tibial, common peroneal
nerves, and the innervations of their branches.

The main artery of each compartment of the
leg.

The origin, course, and confluence of the small
saphenous vein.

The characteristic of the skin covering the
dorsum of the foot, and the dorsal venous arch
forming in the superficial fascia. The
characteristic of the skin of the sole of the foot.

The fibrous bands in the subcutaneous fat,
which connects the skin and deep fascia; the
thickened deep fascia, i.e., plantar aponeurosis.

The functions of the medial, lateral, and central
groups of the intrinsic muscles of the foot.

The nerves, blood vessels of the sole.

The locations, drainage of the lymph nodes of
the lower limb.
Surface anatomy of the lower limb
Try to palpate the bony markings of the whole
lower limb, and find out the saphenous opening and
draw the surface projections of the long and small,
saphenous veins, femoral and sciatic nerves and the
femoral artery by means of these bony markings.
Observe the boundaries of the popliteal fossa on
the legs of your classmates.

3
Unit 2 Upper Limb
Superficial fascia: superficial veins and their
origins, courses, communications, and confluences
of the cephalic vein and basilic vein. Cutaneous
nerves: the distribution of the cutaneous nerves.
Remember that all the structures mentioned
above are embedded on the subcutaneous tissue.
Pectoral and scapular regions and axilla

The shapes, positions of the bones lying in
these regions---clavicle, scapular, and upper
part of the humerus.

Shoulder joint and sternoclavicular joint: the
movements of the joints, and the functions of
these bones.

The origins, insertions, and functions of the
muscles in the pectoral region and the muscles
attached to the scapula, especially the muscles
called rotator cuff.

The blood supply and innervation of these
muscles.

The shape, location, inlet, and outlet to the
axilla; the formation of its walls, and the
structures located in it.

The course of the axillary artery, and the
distributions of its branches. The course of
axillary vein in relation to axillary artery.

The subdivisions of the brachial plexus, and its
relationship to brachial artery.

The groups of the axillary lymph nodes, and
their location and draining area.
Upper arm

The arrangement of the flexors and extensors
of the arm, their origins, insertions,
innervations.

The arrangement of the superficial veins in
anterior aspect of the elbow.

The courses of the radial, ulnar, median, and
musculocutaneous nerves; the courses of the
brachial vessels; and the relationships between
the nerves and vessels.

Try to analyze some lesions of nerves in the
level of middle arm.
Elbow, forearm and wrist

The characteristics of the lower half of the
4
humerus, ulna, and radius.

The structures and movements of the elbow
and wrist joints.

The boundaries of the cubital fossa and the
arrangement of the structures in the fossa.

The origins and insertions of the muscles of the
forearm.

The origins, insertions, innervations and
functions of the muscles which pass through
the flexor or extensor aspects of the wrist joint.
Note that they should be looked in groups.

The courses of the ulnar, radial arteries, and
their accompanying veins; and the courses of
the ulnar, radial and median nerves in the
forearm.

The formation of the carpal tunnel, and the
structures passing though or over it.
Hand

The characteristics of the skeleton of the hand;
the movements of the metacarpophalangeal
joint and interphalangeal joint.

The structural natures of the skin of the palm
and dorsum of the hand; the formation, extent,
shape, and function of the palmar aponeurosis.

The formations of the arterial arches in hand
by the radial and ulnar arteries, and the
distributions of the branches of the arches.

The course and distributions of the radial, ulnar,
and median nerves in the hand.

The synovial sheeth and fascial spaces of hand
and fibrous digital sheath, and its clinical
significance.
Surface anatomy of the upper limb
The visible and palpable bony landmarks,
important muscles, and blood vessels and nerves
Unit 3 Thorax
Thoracic wall, pleura and lungs
Female Breast: structure, shape, location of the
mammary gland; and its blood supply, innervations,
and lymphatic drainage.

The shape, components of the bony thoracic
cage: the formation of the inlet and outlet of
the cage; the connections among these bony
components and the thoracic vertebrae and the
movement of the bony thorax.

The intercostal muscles; the nerves and blood
vessels in the intercostal spaces.

The concept of the pleura, pleural sac; the
subdivisions, arrangement, reflection and
innervation of the pleura.

The shapes, fissures, and subdivisions of the
lungs; and the concept of the segments, hilum
and root of the lung.

The concept of the bronchial tree; the main,
lobe, and segmental bronchus; the differences
between the two main bronchi, including the
diameters, the angles forming with the trachea,
and the relationships.

The surface projection of the pleura and the
lung. The concept of pleura recesses and the
bare area of pericardium.

The location, drainage of each group of the
thoracic lymph nodes, and their clinical
significance.
Mediastinum

The definition and subdivisions of the
mediastinum.
Middle mediastinum

The concept of the fibrous and serous
pericardium, pericardial cavity.

The shape, size, external features and position
of the heart. The structures and features of the
cardiac chambers: the cusps, valves, fossa, and
the orifices. note their physiological function
on the direction of the blood flow.

The surface projections of the heart, and the
cardiac valves.

The origins, courses, branches and territories
of the main branches of coronary arteries.

The venous drainage of the heart.

The components positions, function and blood
supply of the cardiac conducting system.
Superior and posterior mediastinum

The margins of superior and posterior
mediastinum.

The arrangement of the veins lying in the
superior mediastinum, and their formation, and
confluences. The disposition of the azygos
system of vein, and their drainage.

The subdivisions of the aorta, and the
relationships of the ascending, arch and
descending aorta in the thorax. The courses,
relationships of the three large branches arise
from the aortic arch.

The courses, relationships, and distributions of
the branches of the descending aorta in thorax.

The position and important relationships of the
pulmonary artery, and its branches and
ligamentum arterosum.

The length, position, structural character of the
esophagus; its relationships to other important
structures, and the levels of its three
constrictions.

The origin, course, ending of the thoracic duct;
and its draining area.

The courses of the phrenic nerves in the thorax,
and the structures supplied by it.

The courses of the two vagus nerves in the
thorax; and the important branches; the course,
relationships of the recurrent laryngeal nerves.

The locations of the cardiopulmonary and
esophageal plexuses, the nerves taking part in
and arising from those plexuses.

The concept of the sympathetic trunk, white
and gray rami, ganglia; the course of the
sympathetic trunks in the thorax, and the
formation of the greater and lesser splanchnic
nerves.
Surface anatomy of the thorax
Except for the surface projections of the heart
per se, cardic valves, the fissures of the lungs and
the large blood vessels, try to memory the
anatomical facts at the angle of Louis.
Unit 4 Abdomen
Abdominal wall

The subdivisions of the abdomen.

The structural characteristics of the two layers
of the superficial fascia, and the attachment of
the deeper (Scarpa’s fascia) one and its clinical
5
significance.

The locations of the muscular and tendinous
portions of the 3 layers of flat muscles; the
superficial inguinal ring on the tendinous
portion of external oblique; the formation and
attachment of the inguinal ligament.

The origin, insertion and the function of the
rectus abdominis; the formation of the rectus
sheath and the linea alba.

The attachment, continuation of the fascia
transversalis,
and
the
concept
of
extraperitoneal fat.

The courses of the nerves T7-12 and L1, and
their branches.

The origins, courses, and confluence of the
blood vessels and lymphatics drainage of the
abdominal wall.
Inguinal canal: The position and walls of inguinal
canal; the protective mechanisms of the inguinal
canal.

The descent of the testis.

The formation of the spermatic cord, and its
coverings.

The layers of the scrotum.
Note the weak points of the anterolateral abdominal
wall.
Diaphragm

The surface projection of the diaphragm on the
thoracic wall, note the movement of the
diaphragm in living body.

The positions of the tendinous and muscular
portions of the diaphragm, and the three
origins of the diaphragm.

The vertebral levels of the openings on the
diaphragm, and the structures traversing these
openings.

The nerves which innervate the different parts
of the diaphragm.
Peritoneal cavity

The concept and subdivisions of peritoneum
and the peritoneal cavity. The structures
formed by the peritoneum.

The concept of the lesser and greater sac; the
formation of the epiploic foramen, and its
6
position, communication.
Gastrointestinal tract

The abdominal part of the esophagus, and its
relationships and neurovasculatures.

The subdivisions, varied shape, position and
structure of the stomach, and its relationships,
especially the structures forming stomach bed.

The subdivisions of small intestine. The length,
shape, subdivisions, features and relationships
of the duodenum.

The length, structure, position of the jejunum
and ileum; the differences between the jejunum
and ileum.

The subdivisions and structural characteristics
of large intestine: the ileocecal valve, the
appendix and the cecum.

The positions, relationships of the ascending,
transverse, descending and sigmoid colon.
Liver, spleen, pancreas and biliary system

The shape, position, external feature and
relationships of the liver; the ligaments by
which the liver attached to other structures.

The size, shape, position of the spleen and its
relationships; the ligaments by which the
spleen be connected with other structures.

The shape, position, subdivisions of the
pancreas, the relationships of each portion of
the pancreas, and the course of the pancreatic
duct.

The components of the biliary apparatus, and
their courses, positions, relationships and
functions. Note he surface anatomy of the
fundus of the gallbladder.
Neurovascular supply of abdominal viscera

The large unpaired arteries arising from aorta;
the course of the three arteries of the celiac
trunk; the branches arising from left and right
side of the superior mesenteric artery; the
branches of the inferior mesenteric artery. Note
the arterial anastomosis along the lesser and
greater curvatures of the stomach, and the
margin of the colon.

The concept of the hepatic portal system: the
formation, course, and function of the portal
vein; the routes by which the tributaries of the
portal vein anastomosing with tributaries of the
systemic circulation.

The formation, position, and drainage area of
the cisterna chyli.

The course, position of the lumbar sympathetic
chain, and its connection with other nerves; the
formation, position, and branches of the celiac
ganglia.

The course of the two vagi in abdominal cavity,
and their distribution.

The blood supply and innervation of the liver,
stomach, spleen, small intestine, and large
intestine. The concept of REFERRED PAIN.
Kidney and suprarenal gland

The shape, size, position of the kidney, the
relationships of its anterior and posterior
surfaces. The structural characteristic of the
three capsules of the kidney.

The structures entering the hilum of the kidney,
and their arrangement at the hilum.

The length, position, relationships of the ureter,
and the positions of the three constrictions of
the ureter.

The characteristics of the blood supply and the
nerve supply of the kidney and ureter.

The position, shape, and relationships of the
adrenal glands, and their neurovascular supply.
Retroperitoneal vessels and nerves

The length, position, relationships of the
abdominal aorta, the arrangement of its
unpaired and paired visceral branches, the
paired body wall branches and the terminal
branches.

The formation, course, relationships of the
inferior vena cava, and its tributaries.

The formation, position of the lumbar plexus.
Unit 5 Pelvis and Perineum (Observing)
Pelvic wall

The external feature of the sacrum and coccyx.
The composition and orientation of the pelvis:
the structures bounding the inlet and outlet of
the pelvis; the gender differences of pelvis.
The shape, position of the muscles, lining the
inner walls of the true pelvis. The origin and
insertion of the levator ani muscle, and its
function.

The attachment of the parietal pelvic fascia, the
position of the visceral pelvic fascia, and its
reflection with parietal fascia.

The peritoneum in pelvic cavity and its
formations---ligaments and pouches.
Pelvic organs

The general arrangement of the structures in
the pelvis.

The shape and position of the bladder in empty
and distended conditions. Note the difference
of its position, and relationships between adult
and children.

The volume, structure, blood supply and
innervation of the bladder.

The size, position, and function of the seminal
vesicles; the course of the vas deferens in the
pelvis.

The shape, size, and position of the prostate
gland, the lobes of the prostate gland, and their
clinic significance. Note the prostatic urethra
and the openings on its posterior wall.

The size, shape, subdivisions, position and
relationships of the uterus, and the factors
which maintain the normal position of the
uterus.

The course, subdivisions of the uterine tube,
and the pass way communicating peritoneal
cavity with external environment in female.

The size, shape, and position of the ovary and
its support factors.

The formation of the broad ligament, and the
structures contained in it.

The length, course and relationships of the
rectum, and the mechanisms which prevent it
from displacement.

The length, course of the anal canal, and the
difference of the structures forming the anal
canal wall above and below the dentate line.
Vessels, nerves and ureter in the pelvis

The position, constituent parts of the sacral

7
plexus. The intrapelvic distribution of the
plexus, and the courses, branches of the plexus
passing to lower limb.

The position of the pelvic part of the
sympathetic trunk, the component of the pelvic
splanchnic nerves (parasympathetic nerve).The
formation, position and distributions of the
autonomic plexuses in the pelvis.

The course and distributions of the common
iliac artery and its two terminal branches--the
external and internal iliac arteries, especially
those of the internal iliac artery.

The characteristics of the veins in the pelvis
that initially forming plexuses, and then
draining into the internal iliac vein.

The course, relationships of the ureter in male
and female.

The course of the arteries to the gonads, and
the venous and lymphatic drainage.

The positions of the lymph nodes in the pelvis,
and their draining area.
Perineum

The definition of the perineum; the positions of
the perineal body; the formation, position of
the urogenital diaphragm, and the formation
and contents of the superficial and deep
perineal pouches.

The formation, structures of the penis, and its
attachment to the perineal membrane.

The size of the membranous and penile urethra;
the length, course of the female urethra.

The length and the relationships of the vagina,
and the formation of the fornices.

The arrangement of the muscles in the
superficial and deep perineal pouches, and
their function.

The structure of testis and epididymis, the
innervation, and lymph drainage of the testis.

The position, walls and communications of the
ischioanal fossa, and the structures situated in
it.
Surface anatomy of the abdomen

With regard to the surface projections of the
abdominal organs, the three points should be
8
borne in mind.
1. The vertebrae, thoracic cage, bony pelvis
and linea semilunaris are reliable landmarks.
2. Some organs, such as duodenum, pancreas,
possess relatively constant position, even
though variations of them could be met at
some time. On the contrary, some other organs,
such as the greater curvature of the stomach,
vary considerably in their position.
3. The surface projections of the abdominal
organs should be remembered in combination
with the position of them.
Unit 6 Neck
Superficial structures

The position of the platysma; the subdivisions
and the attachments of the deep cervical fascia.
The compartments which the structures of neck
are divided into by the deep cervical fascia.

The superficial nerves of the neck, and the
blocking point of these nerves.

The tributaries, course and confluence of the
external jugular vein, and its relationships with
the investing fascia.

The origin, insertion and function of the
sternomastoid muscle, and the relationships of
its upper and lower halves.

The arrangement of the supra- and infrahyoid
nuscles, and their function and innervation.

The triangles of the neck, and the structures
contained in them.

The external feature, lobes, position and
relationships of the thyroid gland and its fixing
apparatus and the thyroid vessels.

The size, shape, number and position of the
parathyroid gland, and their relationships to the
thyroid gland.

The course, bifurcation and relationships of the
common cartoid artery; position and function
of the carotid sinus and carotid body.

The course of the external carotid artery and its
branches. The course of the internal cartoid
artery in the neck and the foramen through
which it enters the cranial cavity. The orgin,
course, confluence and relationships of the
internal jugular vein.
Cranial nerves Ⅴ , Ⅶ , Ⅸ - Ⅻ and cervical
sympathetic system

The foramina through which these cranial
nerves pass to or from the cranial cavity, the
extracranial courses, distribution of them, and
the kinds of fibers contained in them.

The course of the cervical sympathetic trunk,
the branches given off form the ganglia in the
trunk and their courses, distributions; the
position of the three ganglia on the trunk.
Deep structures of the neck

The origin, insertion of the 3 scalene muscles.

The height of the lung projecting up into the
root of the neck; the thickness, function of the
suprapleural membrane.

The course of the subclavian artery in the root
of the neck. The origins, course and
distributions of the arteries arising from the
subclavian artery. The course, tributaries of the
subclavian vein in the neck.

The composition, position of the cervical and
brachial plexus, and the distributions of the
cervical branches of the plexus.

The formation, constituents, and course of the
most important branch of the cervical
plexus-----the phrenic nerve.

The course of the thoracic duct in the neck and
its draining area.
Upper respiratory and alimentary passage

The structure, function of the nose: the walls,
openings, conchae and meati of the nasal
cavity, and the nerve and blood supply of the
walls of the cavity.

The positions of the paranasal air sinuses, and
their drainage openings on the lateral wall of
the nasal cavity.

The structures of the pharynx, the three layers
which form the tube-like cavity, especially the
arrangement of the muscular layer, and its
innervation. The positions, communications
with other cavities of the three divisions of the
pharynx, the opening of the pharyngotympanic
tube on the nasopharynx, the isthmus which
separates the oral cavity from the pharynx. The
positions of the pharyngeal and palatine tonsils.
The position of the piriform fossa of the
laryngopharynx.

The components of the hard and soft palate,
the
machanism
by
which
the
pharyngotympanic tube opens. The nerve and
blood supply of the pharynx and palate.

The position of the larynx. The structures, such
as cartilages, ligaments, muscles and mucous
membrane of the laryngeal walls. Note the
shapes of the cartilages, the attachments of the
ligaments and muscles. The functions and
movements of these structures in phonation,
swallowing and respiration. The positions of
the four subdivisions of the laryngeal cavity.
The neurovascular supply of the larynx.
Lymph nodes of the head and neck

The concept of the circular and vertical chains
of the lymph nodes in the head and neck. The
positions, draining area of each group of the
lymph nodes in the two chains.
Note the surface projection of the subclavian artery,
and external jugular vein. The structures lie at the
level of the cricoid cartilage.
Unit 7 Head
Face and scalp

Muscles of facial expression: position,
arrangement features and their innervations.

The structural characteristics of the each one of
the five layers, which makes up the scalp.

The branches of the internal and external
carotid arteries, which supply the superficial
structures of the head. The venous route by
which extracranial infections may spread
intracranially.

The innervation of the skin of the head. The
shapes of the socket and head of the
tempromandibular joint, the attachment of the
disc, and the movements permitted on the joint.
The origins, insertions of the muscles of
mastication and their innervation.
9




The shapes, positions of the three paired
salivary glands and the opening of their ducts.
The relationships of the parotid and
submandibular glands.
The structure and external feature of a typical
tooth,
the
dispositions
of
the
deciduous(primary) and permanent teeth, the
nerve supply of the teeth.
The shape, external feature of the tongue. The
position, functions of the intrinsic and extrinsic
muscles of the tongue. The innervation of the
tongue, including general and taste sensation,
and somatic movement.
The size, shape and position of the pituitary
gland, the subdivision of gland, and the
relationships with its neighboring structures.
Ear
External ear: the shapes of the auricle and
external auditory meatus, and their structural
characteristics, the nerve supply of the external
meatus.

Middle ear: the position, size of the middle
ear, and its communication with other cavities.
The walls of the middle ear, and the position
and structure of the tympanic cavity. The
shapes and connections of the three auditory
ossicles.

Internal ear: the shape, position of the three
portions of the bony labyrinth, and the
membranous labyrinth; latter located in the
former; the perilymph and endolymph
contained in the internal ear.

The ways by which the sound vibrations are
transmitted to the internal ear. The mechanism
by which the air on the both sides of the drum
membrane is held in equilibrium.
Orbit

The bones which enclose the orbital margin
and form the orbital walls. The fissures and
canals appear on the walls, and the structures
surrounding the orbit.

The origins, insertions and actions of the
muscles of the eyeball, including the smooth
muscle fibers contained in eyeball and their

10
innervation.

The fascial sheath of the eyeball and the
external sheath of optic nerve.

The courses, distributions of the cranial nerves,
ophthalmic artery in the orbit, and the
communications of the ophthalmic vein.

The structures of the four layers of the eyelid,
and the positions of the various openings on
the lid margins.

The positions of each component of the
lacrimal apparatus.
Surface anatomy of the head and neck

The position of the pterion, anterior meningeal
point on the head.

The relationships of the arising point of the
superior thyroid, the lingual and the facial
arteries with thyroid cartilage, and hyoid bone.
The palpable point for the superficial temporal
artery.
Unit 8 Back and Vertebral Column
Vertebral Column

The curves of the vertebral column.

The composition and landmarks of a typical
vertebra, and the special features of the
cervical, thoracic, and lumbar vertebrae.

The connections among the vertebrae,
including joints, ligaments, and intervertebral
discs. The movement of the vertebral column.
Surface anatomy of the vertebral column

The visible and palpable spinous processes; the
levels of these processes referring to other
bony landmarks or structures.
Skull

With the exception of the sphenoid bone and
mandible, the bones of the skull should be
viewed from front, lateral, superior, inferior
aspects as whole. Please pay more attention to
the base of the skull.

The position of each bone, which form the
skull; the processes which could be palpated
and the foramina, through which the cranial
nerves and blood vessel pass to or from the
cranial cavity.

The shapes, processes and foramina existing
on them.
Unit 9 Neuroanatomy
Introduction

The function & subdivisions of the nervous
system.

The basic structures of the central nervous
system: neuron and neuroglia; three types of
neuron.

Concepts: gray matter, cortex, nucleus,
ganglion, white matter, medullary center, tract,
nerve and reflect.
Spinal Cord

External feature of the spinal cord.

Spinal segments and comparison of spinal
segments and vertebral bodies.

Meninges: pia matter, arachnoid and dura
matter. Concepts: epidural space, subarachnoid
space, lumbar cistern, as well as their clinic
significance.

General arrangement of internal structures of
the spinal cord: anterior (ventral) horn and
nuclei in anterior horn; posterior horn and
nuclei in posterior horn; Intermediate lateral
(lateral horn) and nuclei in the intermediate
horn.

Tracts: corticospinal tracts, spinothalamic
tracts, fasciculi gracillis and cuneatus and
spinocerebellar tracts.
Brainstem

Subdivisions and external features of the
brainstem.

The cranial nerve nuclei in the brainstem.

The relay nuclei in the brainstem: gracilis
nucleus, cuneatus nucleus, inferior olivary
nucleus, red nucleus and the reticular
formation.

Tracts: corticospinal tract, corticonulear tract,
spinothalamic tract and medial lemniscus.

The important transverse sections: the levels of
decussation of the pyramids, the medial
lemnisti, the middle of olvary nuclei, the facial
colliculus and superior colliculum.
Diencephalon

The external features and divisions of the
diencephalon.

Subdivisions of the thalamus

The nuclei in the thalamus: ventral
posteromedial and posterolateral nuclei, medial
and lateral geniculate bodies.
Cerebellum

The external features and subdivisions of the
cerebellum.

The arrangement of internal structures of the
cerebellum.

The fundamental function of the cerebellum.
Telencephalon

The external features of the cerebral cortex:
lobes, main gyri and sulci of the cerebral
hemisphere.

The position and components of the basal
ganglia and the internal capsule.

The position, subdivisions and communication
of the lateral ventricle.

The functional localization of cerebral cortex.
Meninges, Ventricular System and Vessels of the
Brain

The meninges: pia matter, arachnoid and dura
matter; and falx cerebri, tentorium cerebelli.

The subarachnoid space, subdural space,
dural sinus and ventricles.

The formation and circulation of the
cerebrospinal fluid.

The blood supply of CNS (including the
internal carotid artery, vertebral artery, and
cerebral arterial circle)
Sensory System

The conscious superficial sensory pathway of
the extermities and trunk.

The conscious deep sensory pathway of the
extermities and trunk

The sensory pathway of the face and related
areas.

The auditory pathway

The visual pathway and optic reflexes
Motor System

The pyramidal system for voluntary
11

12
movements.
Autonomic nervous system: sympathetic and
parasympathetic innervations.