The Importance of Anatomy

Anatomy is the knowledge about the structure of the bodies of animals and people. This includes information about blood vessels, organs, the skeleton, and nerves. But have you ever wondered where the anatomical information in science books and websites comes from? When did our fascination with the body begin and why do people still study it now? Who teaches doctors, nurses, veterinary surgeons, and other health professionals about the body? How has anatomy inspired art, and vice versa? This paper looks at the amazing world of anatomy: what anatomy is; why it is needed; why it is important; who studies, teaches, and researches anatomy; and what the future holds for this fascinating science.

exist in animals and people. There is a related scientific discipline called physiology , which helps us to understand the functions of PHYSIOLOGY The study of how normal living organisms function and work. For example how the human body and its organs functions. di erent parts of the body, but understanding anatomy is essential for physiology.
Anatomy is often split into two parts: gross anatomy, which involves

GROSS ANATOMY
Looking at structures/anatomy where you can see the objects using eyesight only, a microscope is not required.
investigating larger structures of the body, and histology (sometimes HISTOLOGY The study of cells and the body using a microscope. called microanatomy), which helps us understand the finer details of cells and smaller structures of the body. Equipment, such as microscopes ( Figures A,B) are used for histology. Anatomy looks at embryos as well as both young and old animals and people. There are over types of cells, with more still being discovered, and the average human body has . trillion cells. The human body also has around named muscles, but this depends on how they are classified, so actually the total can be a lot more. Adults typically have named bones and , miles worth of blood vessels (roughly the distance around the Earth four times is still much to study and learn about.

THE TEN BODY SYSTEMS
Anatomists (researchers of anatomy) often split the body up into ten basic systems to help describe what di erent parts of the body do.
• Muscular-The muscles, which helps the body move and breathe.
• Nervous-The brain, spinal cord, and cells called nerves that relay electrical impulses between the brain/spinal cord and the rest of the body. • Respiratory-The lungs, nose, trachea, and other cells and tubes related to breathing. • Cardiovascular-The heart, blood vessels, and blood, which provide oxygen and nutrients to the body and remove waste products. • Lymphatic-Tubes called lymph vessels and several organs and cell types that drain away fluids and protect the body. • Endocrine-Organs, such as the pancreas, liver, testes, and ovaries, and glands that produce/regulate hormones and other chemical signals. • Male and Female Reproductive Systems-Organs involved in reproduction, including the uterus, clitoris, and penis. • Urinary-The kidneys and bladder, which filter the blood, remove waste products, and produce and excrete urine. • Digestive-Organs, such as the mouth, stomach, intestines, and anus, which digest and absorb food and dispose of waste products.

RESEARCHING ANATOMY
Throughout history there have been many great anatomists. It is hard to believe that we once did not know what the heart did or that red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. may need to discover the cause of death by looking inside the body, and surgeons need to cut open the body of the patient when they are doing surgery. The first well-known anatomists relied on dissection too. Although anatomy has been practiced for thousands of years, we are still learning more every day. New bones, muscles, blood vessels, cells, and functions are still being discovered by anatomists.
The Importance of Anatomy By the s, microscopes were used to magnify organs and cells, giving even greater insight into what they look like and how they work. As technology advanced, more powerful microscopes were developed. We can now see objects thousands of times larger than their actual size.
By using modern technologies, such as computed tomography COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY Also called CAT scan; a technique in which an object, person, or animal is imaged using many X-rays and the images are processed using computers.
(also called CAT scans; Figures E,F), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and X-rays ( Figure D) not only help anatomists learn about the body, but they also help doctors to diagnose illness and understand a multitude of other medical problems.
Anatomists often use additional techniques to understand the function of the body. For example, they need to understand how genes work and how each cell and organ functions ( Figure E). Anatomists often work with other scientists and doctors to understand how medicines and di erent diseases a ect the body, which can help identify treatments and cures for diseases. They also work with pathologists, with forensic scientists who use science to help solve crimes, with paleontologists who look at fossils, and with archaeologists trying to uncover reasons for death or extinction.

TEACHING ANATOMY
There are many types of people who teach anatomy and also many people who need to learn it. Learning about the body often begins at nursery and school. Songs, such as "heads, shoulders, knees, and toes" help young children to learn the names of their body parts. We also learn about organs, such as the brain and heart and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle to keep our bodies fit and active. School science teachers often teach anatomy. You can even take a university/college degree in anatomy. If you are studying biology, medicine, veterinary medicine, nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, or several other health-related fields, you will be taught anatomy. After all, no one can do surgery without knowing where all the organs, bloods vessels, muscles, and other parts of the body are located. Top athletes, their coaches, those who give massages, and sports therapists also need to learn the parts of the body and how they work. If you take sports qualifications at school, you will probably learn about the bones and muscles involved in athletics.

FAMOUS ANATOMISTS AND THE ARTS
Throughout history, the body has been a source of inspiration not only for science but also for the arts. How many paintings, books, photographs, and sculptures have you seen of humans and animals? Even the very first cave people drew human bodies. Ancient Egyptians were working on the heart and blood vessels in BC. Around BC, a Greek man named Hippocrates became known as the father of medicine and a founder of anatomy ( Figure A). Herophilus, who was also Greek but worked much of his life in Egypt, became known as the father of anatomy and was one of the first people known to dissect humans. A school of anatomy was set up in BC in Alexandria, Egypt [ ]. The first documented woman practicing anatomy and pathology was Alessandra Giliani in the s, but it is likely there were many before her ( Figure B). Women have long been doctors and midwives, even when it was banned or seen as outrageous. Likewise, many women have studied anatomy despite the views of society. In , Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell was the first woman to attend medical school in the United States, and in Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler became the first African-American woman doctor. In the UK, in the s, Dr. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was the first openly female doctor, but before that Dr. James Barry also practiced medicine but she had to dress as a man and have a male name in order to do so. Luckily, today many anatomists and doctors are female. Some anatomists have been artists, too. Leonardo Da Vinci combined art and science to help show what was inside the body, by creating brilliant pieces of art ( Figure C). Anna Morandi Manzolini was another Italian anatomist and sculptor ( Figure B). In the s, she worked in her home laboratory, writing about the organs, teaching, and laboratory. The picture also shows Alessandra Giliani, who practiced anatomy in the s and is famous for dissection. (C) Leonardo da Vinci was brilliant in many areas, but is well-known for being an anatomist, teacher, researcher, and artist. He had a great interest in the heart and blood vessels.
Today, anatomists worldwide use models and D animations to help guide students. Some people have also studied a little anatomy to create art pieces. For example, Mary Shelley wrote her brilliant novel "Frankenstein" at the age of just , back in the s when it was seen as shocking for women to even wonder about how the body worked.

CONCLUSIONS
Today, we can visit museums and marvel at skeletons and wax models, learning science and appreciating the beauty of the human body. Anatomy is taught to most people at school and is not only important in medicine and sports, but is also an inspiration for art and literature worldwide. Today's anatomists combine many technologies and techniques to discover more about animals and humans, thus advancing the field of medicine.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors would like to thank the Anatomical Society for helping to fund this work through a Public Engagement and Outreach grant to Catrin titled Anatomy for ALL-Making Anatomy Accessible. We would also like to thank the British Science Association and University of Nottingham for awarding Catrin with a BSA Media Fellowship .
. . Early contribution of Alexandria medical school to the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the nervous system. CRAIG J. STURROCK I am a co-director of the Hounsfield Facility at the University of Nottingham, with over years' experience in the use of X-ray computed tomography. As a Principal Research Fellow, a major part of my work is the use of novel image analysis techniques to measure the microstructure of biomaterials ranging from animal bones to soils and plant roots. I love working with the latest technologies to understand the wonders of the natural world. Find out more here: https://www. nottingham.ac.uk/microct/. † orcid.org/ ---CATRIN SIAN RUTLAND I am Associate Professor of Anatomy and Developmental Genetics at the University of Nottingham and British Science Association Media Fellow. I lead a group of research scientists investigating why people and animals su er from heart and blood vessel disorders, looking for techniques to detect, prevent, and cure. I fell in love with anatomy when I was very young, when my parents gave me an anatomy book to read. My parents and teachers all encouraged me to learn science and anatomy. I am very lucky to be able to teach and research anatomy every day now. I also enjoy traveling and writing science fiction. *catrin.rutland@nottingham.ac.uk † orcid.org/ ---