Anatomy

• What does anatomy mean?

• The word anatomy means cutting up or taking apart.

• It is derived from the Greek word anatome

• The Latin word dissecare has a similar meaning.

• Anatomy is largely based on dissection, from which it obtains its name

• Dissection of an organized body is called Anatomy

• Anatomy (ah-nat’o-me, A-NAT-o-me) (anatome to dissect)

• [Gr. ana so much of each + Gr. temnein to cut]

• Dissect (di-sekt) [L. dissecare to cut up] to cut apart, or separate.

• Dissection (di-sek’shun) [L. dissection] the act of dissecting.

• The study of anatomy is traditionally based on dissecting cadavers and studying the various structures with the unaided eye.

• Anatomy and dissection are no longer synonymous

• Dissection has remained a technique and it is still a technique

• Anatomy has become a field of study.

• Anatomy is a corpus of observations, still dependent upon technique, but capable of rational correlation among themselves and with other biological studies

• Most narrowly, anatomy is the investigation of biological structure in plants or animals, with no other motive or intention than description of form

Definition

• Anatomy is a branch of biological sciences that deals with the study of form and structure of living organism; may be a plant, may be an animal and that may be human being (insan)

• It is the science of the structure of human body and the relations of its parts.

• More strictly speaking

• human anatomy

• is a branch of medical sciences, which deals with the study of the form and the structure of the body of insan and the relationship of its constituent parts to each other; may be structures, organs and different systems

• Anatomy provides the stage on which various disciplines of medicine play their part

• Its study helps in understanding and coping with injury, disease and death

• Much more than that, it tells us about ALLAH’s blessings and makes us firm believers.

• According to Abul Waleed Muhammad Ibn Rushd (1128-1198)

• “Anyone who studies Anatomy will increase his faith in the omnipotence and oneness of ALLAH Almighty”

• It is very interesting to study insan. Allah the Creator has Himself pointed out that there are ayyat in you. Wa fee anfosikum.

• In the earth, there are signs for the firm believers, • And also in your own selves; Can you not see?

Az-Zâriyât, Surah 51, Ayaat 20-21, Part 26

Anatomy department

• The structural study of human being starts in Anatomy Department. The department of anatomy normally consists of:

• Dissection hall

• Mortuary

• Anatomy Museum

• Histology Laboratory

• There should be Embryology Laboratory also in Anatomy Department.

• A full Neuroanatomy Section is also now needed in Anatomy Department.

• And now a Cyber-Anatomy Section must also be present in Anatomy Department.

The study of insan (the human being)

• There are many ways and means to study the body of insan.

1. Dissection (to cut through). This is done on dead bodies lying in dissection hall.

2. Operations. Human anatomy cannot be learnt completely by studying cadavers only. A regular visit to hospital is also necessary to see different operations.

3. Micro-dissection. Here dissection is done with the use of simple magnifying glasses or dissecting microscopes.

4. Microscopy. Here different organs, structures, tissues and cells are studied with the help of light microscope and electron microscope

5. Radiology. Here human body structure is studied with the help of different special rays (x-rays, ultrasound rays, magnetic rays etc).

• Muslim Medical Students of Human Anatomy, who wish to become practicing Muslim doctors must study or observe the human body as Ayyat (signs) of ALLAH, the Creator, the Supreme.