Superficial anatomy

Superficial anatomy

Superficial anatomy (also called surface anatomy) is a descriptive science dealing with anatomical features that can be studied by sight, without dissecting an organism. In particular, in the case of human superficial anatomy, these are the form and proportions of the human body and the surface landmarks which correspond to deeper structures hidden from view, both in static pose and in motion. It is also called "visual anatomy".

In addition, the science of superficial anatomy includes the theories and systems of body proportions and related artistic canons.

Studying of superficial anatomy is the basis for depiction of human body in classic art.

Some pseudo-sciences such as physiognomy, phrenology and palmistry rely on superficial anatomy. (The relation is one-sided, like that of astrology to astronomy.)

This is a list of superficial anatomical features. That is to say, externally visible parts of the body in humans and animals.

Sorted roughly from cranial to caudal. Homologues share a bullet point and are separated by commas. Subcomponents are nested. Alternative names or category members in parentheses. Class in which component occurs in "italic".

*Tentacle "Cephalopoda"

*Head
**Antler
**Crest
**Hood
**Horn
**Mane
**Eyes
**Ear
**Snout
***Nose, Trunk
****Nostril
***Whiskers
***Beak "Aves only", Mouth
****Lip "not in Aves"
*****Philtrum
****Jaw "not in Aves"
*****Gums "not in Aves"
*****Teeth "not in Aves", Tusk
****Tongue

*Throat
**Adam's apple
**Vocal sac "Ranidae"

*Spine (extends dorsally)
**Tail

*Arm "Mammalia, Amphibia, ...", Fin "Fish", Wing "Aves"
**Elbow
**Wrist
** Hand
***Fingers (Thumb: Primate)
****Hoof, Claw, Nails
****Webbing

*Chest (roughly Thorax)
**Gills
**Breast "Mammalia"

*Abdomen (roughly Stomach)
**Pouch "Marsupialia"
**Genitals
***"In females"
****Vulva
***"In males"
****Penis
****Scrotum

*Leg
**Thigh
**Knee
***Kneecap
**Shin
**Calf
**Ankle
**Foot
*** Toe
****Hoof

*Skin
**Feather "Aves", Scale "Reptilia", Hair "Mammalia"
**Shell

ee also

* Anatomy

Books:"Drawing the Living Figure" by Joseph Sheppard, ISBN 0-486-26723-7


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Human superficial anatomy — Superficial human anatomy is the part of human anatomy dealing with superficial anatomy.AbdomenBy following distinct superficial landmarks, the location of deeper structures can be deduced. For instance, McBurney s point marks the location of the …   Wikipedia

  • Anatomy — (from the Greek polytonic|ἀνατομία anatomia , from polytonic|ἀνατέμνειν ana: separate, apart from, and temnein , to cut up, cut open) is a branch of biology that is the consideration of the structure of living things. It is a general term that… …   Wikipedia

  • Superficial inguinal ring — Front of abdomen, showing surface markings for arteries and inguinal canal. (Subcutaneous inguinal ring labeled at lower left.) …   Wikipedia

  • Superficial vein — is a term used to describe a vein that is close to the surface of the body. It is used to differentiate veins that are close to the surface from veins that are far from the surface, known as deep veins.Superficial veins are not paired with an… …   Wikipedia

  • Superficial — is a general term meaning regarding the surface , often metaphorically. Both in the literal as in the metaphorical sense the term has often a negative connotation based on the idea that deeper parts are also important to consider.In human anatomy …   Wikipedia

  • Superficial cervical lymph nodes — Infobox Lymph Name = Superficial cervical lymph nodes Latin = nodi lymphoidei cervicales GraySubject = 177 GrayPage = 697 Caption = 1: Submental lymph nodes 2: Submandibular lymph nodes 3: Supraclavicular lymph nodes 4: Retropharyngeal lymph… …   Wikipedia

  • Superficial temporal artery — Infobox Artery Name = PAGENAME Latin = arteria temporalis superficialis GraySubject = 144 GrayPage = 559 Caption = Outline of side of face, showing chief surface markings. (Superficial temporal a. visible at center, to left of ear.) Caption2 =… …   Wikipedia

  • Superficial perineal pouch — Infobox Anatomy Name = PAGENAME Latin = compartimentum superficiale perinei GraySubject = GrayPage = Caption = Coronal section of anterior part of pelvis, through the pubic arch. Seen from in front. (Superficial perineal pouch is white outline at …   Wikipedia

  • Anatomy of the cerebellum — This article gives a detailed description of the anatomy of the cerebellum. The structure of the cerebellum can be viewed at three levels. At the level of large scale anatomy, the cerebellum consists of a tightly folded and crumpled layer of… …   Wikipedia

  • Superficial branch of ulnar nerve — Infobox Nerve Name = Superficial branch of ulnar nerve Latin = ramus superficialis nervi ulnaris GraySubject = 210 GrayPage = 942 Caption = Superficial palmar nerves. (Superficial branch of ulnar labeled at center right.) Caption2 = Diagram of… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”