Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Anatomical Terminology01:20

Anatomical Terminology

23.9K
Knowledge of anatomy is essential to understand human biology and medicine. Anatomists and health care professionals use standard terminology to describe the human body with more precision and no ambiguity. Anatomical terms have mostly Greek and Latin-derived roots. Because these languages are rarely used in conversation, the meaning of words remains the same. Each term is made up of a root in between the prefixes and suffixes. The root of a term often refers to an organ, tissue, or condition,...
23.9K
Regional Terms01:12

Regional Terms

13.7K
Regional terms describe anatomy by dividing the body parts into different regions that contain structures involved in contributing similar functions. Using these terms helps increase the accurate description and identification of the particular region of interest or region affected by the disease.
Primarily, the human body has two major regions, the axial and appendicular regions. The axial region comprises regions from the head to the abdomen and makes up the central body axis. In contrast,...
13.7K
Overview of Anatomy and Physiology01:24

Overview of Anatomy and Physiology

30.9K
Human anatomy is the scientific study of the body's structures. Some of these structures are very small and can only be observed and analyzed with the assistance of a microscope. Other larger structures can readily be seen, manipulated, measured, and weighed. The word "anatomy" comes from a Greek root that means "to cut apart." Human anatomy was first studied by observing the body's exterior and the wounds of soldiers and other injuries. Later, physicians were allowed to...
30.9K
Body Planes01:06

Body Planes

28.2K
Body planes in anatomy are imaginary flat surfaces used as reference points to divide the body into sections for anatomical study. These planes are essential for understanding the orientation, relationships, and spatial organization of anatomical structures.
The sagittal plane is the plane that divides the body or an organ vertically into right and left sides. If this vertical plane runs directly down the middle of the body resulting in equal division, it is called the midsagittal or median...
28.2K
Anatomical Positions01:11

Anatomical Positions

17.7K
In anatomy, several standard anatomical positions are used as references for describing the position and orientation of different body parts. These positions help provide a common frame of reference when discussing anatomical structures. The anatomical position is the standard reference point for describing the body's position and orientation. In this position:
The body is upright, facing forward, and standing erect.
The feet are parallel and flat on the floor.
The arms are hanging by the...
17.7K
Anatomical Movements00:51

Anatomical Movements

14.0K
Anatomical movements refer to the various actions or motions that can be performed by the body's joints and muscles. These movements are described using specific terms to provide a standardized way of discussing and understanding the range of motion at different joints.
Here are some common anatomical movements:
Flexion and extension motions are in the sagittal (anterior–posterior) plane of motion. These movements take place at the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, wrist,...
14.0K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Accessory carpal bones - Scoping review with meta-analysis: Accessory bones around the scaphoid.

Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft·2026
Same author

Systematic review of patella cubiti: Does it really exist?

Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft·2026
Same author

Intersaphenous veins in a population with a high prevalence of chronic venous insufficiency.

Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft·2026
Same author

Basiliensia Nomina Anatomica-130th Anniversary of the First Official Anatomical Nomenclature.

Clinical anatomy (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same author

The complete anatomy of the cystic duct: A meta-analysis with implications for hepatobiliary surgery.

Annals of anatomy = Anatomischer Anzeiger : official organ of the Anatomische Gesellschaft·2026
Same author

Innervation of the tubarial glands: A hypothesis-driven anatomical review.

Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 24, 2025

Dissection, MicroCT Scanning and Morphometric Analyses of the Baculum
04:32

Dissection, MicroCT Scanning and Morphometric Analyses of the Baculum

Published on: March 19, 2017

7.7K

Variant Anatomy and Its Terminology.

David Kachlík1,2, Ivan Varga3, Václav Báča2

  • 1Department of Anatomy, Second Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, V Úvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic.

Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)
|December 23, 2020
PubMed
Summary

Variant anatomy, or human body structure variations, are common and usually harmless. Understanding these variations is crucial for clinicians and anatomists for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords:
anatomical variationsanatomynomenclatureterminologyvariability

More Related Videos

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens
06:02

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens

Published on: April 18, 2013

12.0K
Three and Four-Dimensional Visualization and Analysis Approaches to Study Vertebrate Axial Elongation and Segmentation
12:59

Three and Four-Dimensional Visualization and Analysis Approaches to Study Vertebrate Axial Elongation and Segmentation

Published on: February 28, 2021

4.0K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Nov 24, 2025

Dissection, MicroCT Scanning and Morphometric Analyses of the Baculum
04:32

Dissection, MicroCT Scanning and Morphometric Analyses of the Baculum

Published on: March 19, 2017

7.7K
Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens
06:02

Anatomical Reconstructions of the Human Cardiac Venous System using Contrast-computed Tomography of Perfusion-fixed Specimens

Published on: April 18, 2013

12.0K
Three and Four-Dimensional Visualization and Analysis Approaches to Study Vertebrate Axial Elongation and Segmentation
12:59

Three and Four-Dimensional Visualization and Analysis Approaches to Study Vertebrate Axial Elongation and Segmentation

Published on: February 28, 2021

4.0K

Area of Science:

  • Anatomical Science
  • Human Anatomy
  • Clinical Anatomy

Background:

  • Variant anatomy involves human body structure abnormalities, understood through extensive anatomical experience.
  • These variations typically do not impede bodily function or present as distinct pathologies.
  • However, anatomical variations can exacerbate existing conditions or trigger new ones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze variant anatomy nomenclature within international standards.
  • To highlight the clinical relevance of anatomical variations.
  • To emphasize the need for clear terminology in anatomical variations.

Main Methods:

  • Review and analysis of variant anatomy items within Terminologia Anatomica (1998) and Terminologia Neuroanatomica (2017).
  • Discussion of common anatomical variations and their terminology.
  • Exploration of the role of variant anatomy in contemporary anatomical understanding.

Main Results:

  • Identified and analyzed variant anatomy terms integrated into international nomenclatures.
  • Provided examples of frequent anatomical variations linked to specific terminology.
  • Discussed the overall significance of variant anatomy in anatomical science.

Conclusions:

  • A clear and precise nomenclature for variant structures is essential for anatomical education and clinical practice.
  • Understanding anatomical variations is fundamental for both anatomists and clinicians.
  • The integration of variant anatomy into established nomenclatures aids in comprehending current anatomical knowledge.