My watch list

Home
Encyclopedia
List_of_basic_human_anatomy_topics

List of basic human anatomy topics

For a more comprehensive list on anatomy, see the List of anatomical topics.

Human anatomy, a branch of anatomy, is the scientific study of the morphology of the adult human. It is subdivided into gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy (also called topographical anatomy, regional anatomy, or anthropotomy) is the study of anatomical structures that can be seen by unaided vision. Microscopic anatomy is the study of minute anatomical structures assisted with microscopes, and includes histology (the study of the organization of tissues), and cytology (the study of cells).

The following list of topics is provided as an overview of and introduction to human anatomy:

Human anatomy Portal

Additional recommended knowledge

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Correct Test Weight Handling Guide: 12 Practical Tips

Guide to balance cleaning: 8 simple steps

Essence of human anatomy

Main article: Human anatomy

Human body

Branches of human anatomy

Gross anatomy
Microscopic anatomy
- Cytology
- Histology

Anatomy of the human body

Anatomical parts by body region

Head and neck

Main articles: Head and Neck

The head and neck includes everything above the thoracic inlet:

Upper limb

Main article: Upper limb

Shoulder
Arm
- Elbow
- Forearm
- Wrist
- Hand
  - Fingers
    - Knuckles

Torso

Main article: Torso

Thorax — (the region of the chest from the thoracic inlet to the thoracic diaphragm)
Abdomen (everything from the thoracic diaphragm to the pelvic brim or to the pelvic inlet)
The back
- Vertebral column (the spine)

Pelvic region

The pelvic region includes everything from the pelvic inlet to the pelvic diaphragm:

Major organ systems

Main article: Organ

Circulatory system

Main article: Circulatory system

The circulatory system pumps and channels blood to and from the body and lungs, and includes the:

Digestive system

Main article: Digestive system

The digestive system digests and processes food, and includes the:

Endocrine system

Main article: Endocrine system

The endocrine system controls communication within the body using hormones made by endocrine glands, and includes the:

Endocrine glands
Hormones

Immune system

Main article: Immune system

The immune system protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It includes the:

Bone marrow
White blood cells
Antibodies
Lymphatic system
- Lymph
- Lymph nodes
- Lymph vessels
- Leukocytes
- Tonsils
- Adenoids
- Thymus
- Spleen

Integumentary system

Main article: Integumentary system

The integumentary system covers the human body, and provides some protection from the outside world. It includes the:

Skin
Hair
Nails

Muscular system

Main article: Muscular system

The muscular system controls the bodies movement, using muscles:

Nervous system

Main article: Nervous system

The nervous system collects, transfers and processes information, and includes the:

Reproductive system

Main article: Reproductive system

The reproductive system enables humans to engage in sex in order to give birth to new humans (babies). The system includes the:

Sex organs
- Female sex organs
  - ovaries
  - Fallopian tubes
  - Uterus
  - Vagina
  - Mammary glands (breasts)
- Male sex organs
  - Testes
  - Vas deferens
  - Seminal vesicles
  - Prostate
  - Penis

Respiratory system

Main article: Respiratory system

The respiratory system includes the organs used for breathing, the:

Skeletal system

Main article: Skeletal system

The human skeletal system provides structural support and protection, and includes:

More detail on these subsystems follows...

Bones

Main article: Bone

A typical adult human skeleton consists of 206 bones, though this number does vary owing to a variety of anatomical variations; for example, a small portion of the human population have an extra rib, or an extra lumbar vertebra. (Numbers in bold refer to the diagram at right.)

In the skull (22):

1-9. cranium - 8 cranial bones (frontal, parietal (2), temporal (2), occipital, sphenoid, ethmoid) and 13 facial bones (nasal (2), maxilla (2), lacrimal (2), zygomatic (2), palatine (2), vomer, inferior nasal conchae(2))
7. mandible

In the middle ears (6):

malleus
incus
stapes

In the throat (1):

hyoid

In the shoulder girdle (4):

25. clavicle
29. scapula

In the thorax (25):

10. sternum
28. ribs

In the vertebral column (26):

8. cervical vertebrae
thoracic vertebrae
14. lumbar vertebrae
16. sacrum
coccyx

In the arms (6):

11. humerus
- 26. condyles of humerus
12. ulna
13. radius
- 27. head of radius

In the hands (54):

carpals:
- scaphoid
- lunate
- triquetrum
- pisiform
- trapezium
- trapezoid
- capitate
- hamate
metacarpals
phalanges:

In the pelvis (2):

15. ilium and ischium

In the legs (8):

18. femur
- 17. hip joint (joint, not bone)
- 22. greater trochanter of femur
- 23. condyles of femur
19. patella
20. tibia
21. fibula

In the feet (52):

tarsals:
- calcaneus
- talus
- navicular bone
- medial cuneiform bone
- intermediate cuneiform bone
- lateral cuneiform bone
- cuboidal bone
metatarsals
phalanges:

History of human anatomy

Main article: History of anatomy

Basic human anatomy concepts

Human anatomy scholars

Human anatomy lists

Main article: List of anatomical topics

Glossary of anatomical terminology, definitions and abbreviations