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What is Anatomy?
Before you can understand an anatomy diagram of the human body systems, it is important to know a little about what exactly anatomy is.
Over the past few thousand years, most of mankind’s knowledge of the human body has come from dissections and examinations of dead bodies of humans and animals. The word ‘anatomy‘ is derived from the Greek language and literally means to separate apart; to cut open and cut up. Today, the term anatomy refers to the study of the structure of all living things. Anatomy is considered a branch of biology and medicine.
The Study of Anatomy Consists of Two Primary Types of Anatomy:
1. Gross Anatomy
Gross anatomy or macroscopic anatomy is the study of structures that can be seen with the naked human eye without the aid of any special equipment. Gross anatomy is less commonly referred to as topographical anatomy, regional anatomy, and anthropotomy. A muscle anatomy diagram of human body would be considered gross anatomy.
2. Microscopic Anatomy
Microscopic anatomy is the study of structures which can only be observed through a microscope. Today our knowledge of microscopic anatomy is greatly improved thanks to modern technology such as the X-ray, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Branches of microscopic anatomy include histology, which is the study of tissues, and cytology, which is the study of cells.
What Kind of Anatomy Diagram of the Human Body Are You Looking for?
Since there are so many different systems and the human body is so complex, each anatomy diagram of the human body will be specialized by body system. The most obvious anatomy diagram of the human body is the integumentary system, composed of the skin, hair, and nails. In this case, any photo of a human being without clothes can serve as an anatomy diagram of the human body’s integumenatary system.
One of the more common anatomy diagrams is the human muscular system. If you are just starting to learn anatomy, looking for a starter muscle diagram of the human body will lead you to soon discover that there are superficial muscles, muscles visible on the outside of the body, and deep muscles, the muscles deeper inside the body which are covered by the more superficial muscles.
Here is a Breakdown of Some Anatomy Diagrams of the Major Systems in the Body
Integumentary System | Muscular System | Circulatory System | Respiratory System | Digestive System | Nervous System | Skeletal System |
Integumentary System
The integumentary system gets its name from the Latin word integumentum, which means “to cover”. The integumenary system consists of your skin, hair, and nails, which serve to protect your body against the environment, excrete waste through sweating, regulate body temperature, and synthesize vitamin D.
Muscular System
The muscular system is composed not only of the striated skeletal muscles and their associated tendons that help move your body, but also the smooth muscles in your digestive tract and arteries as well as the cardiac muscle in your heart.
Circulatory System
The circulatory system is composed of the cardiovascular system, which distributes blood, and the lymphatic system (also part of immune system) which distributes water. Your body’s veins, venules, arteries, arterioles and capillaries make up the circulatory system that you would see on an anatomy diagram of the human body.
Respiratory System
The respiratory system consists of the lungs, airways, and muscles associated with breathing, such as the diaphragm.
Digestive System
The digestive system consists of the human gastrointestinal tract (stomach & intestines), the accessory organs (salivary glands, liver, gallbladder & pancreas) and structures leading from the mouth to the anus.
Nervous System
The nervous system consists of many subdivisions. The Central Nervous System (CNS) contains the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system consists of somatic (voluntary) and autonomic (involuntary) nervous systems. The autonomic nervous system can be further broken down into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
Skeletal System
The skeletal system provides structure and leverage for human movement. The skeletal system is made up of the 206 bones of the human body and the associated cartilages.
Systems Not Pictured Above
Immune System
The immune system may be the most complex system in the body, because it depends on parts of almost all the other systems of the body to function correctly. The immune system’s responsibility is to detect and destroy pathogens that invade the body, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, worms and more.
Excretory System
The excretory system, including the urinary system, consists of various organs such as the skin, lungs, urinary bladder, urethra, ureter and kidneys. It is a passive anatomical system which removes unnecessary materials in the form of gases, liquids and solids (sometimes dangerous) from the human body which helps maintain homeostasis or balance and prevents damage to the body.
Reproductive System
The reproductive system consists of the internal and external sexual organs responsible for reproduction. Unlike most of the bodily systems listed previously, males and females have significantly different components to their reproductive systems.
Endocrine System
The endocrine system is made up of glands throughout the body which produce & secrete hormones in the blood stream. These hormones have many different affects all over the body, including within the brain.
Looking for a Muscle Anatomy Diagram of the Human Body?
If you are looking for a FREE muscle anatomy diagram of the human body, Anatomy.AskTheTrainer.com takes it a step further. Simply click on the muscle on the muscle anatomy diagram, and you’ll be taken to a page dedicated to that specific muscle where you can learn its origin, insertion, functions, trigger points, and more. If you want to learn more about the movements of each muscle, check out our exercise information section, which contains information on not only anatomy, but the physiology and function of muscle groups during the most common exercises including hundreds of exercise videos.
Anatomy.AskTheTrainer.com | Exercise Information |
Looking for an Animated Complete Anatomy Diagram of the Human Body?
If you are looking for the best animated anatomy diagrams of the human body, you will be able to find them in educational book stores and online. These CD- and DVD-based 3D & 2D interactive anatomy references are the best university-quality tools for anyone to use to learn about all the systems of human anatomy.
Anatomy Diagram of Human Body Illustrated – Interactive CD Series
Make sure to inquire about the possibilities of student discounts when ordering!
Looking for Books With Anatomy Diagrams of the Human Body?
The space age 3D & 2D interactive anatomy programs may not be the best way YOU learn. If you are looking for books containing anatomy diagrams of the human body, the following list contains some of the best and most popular choices. Although not quite as comprehensive as some of the interactive programs above, many human anatomy books also include human anatomy CD & DVDs. The following books are the best university-quality tools for anyone to use to learn about all the systems encompassed by human anatomy.
Anatomy Diagram of the Human Body: Illustrated – Books
Again, make sure to inquire about the possibilities of student discounts when ordering!
Still Haven’t Found the Anatomy Diagram of Human Body That You Were Looking for?
You can find exceptional anatomy diagrams for free online from Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical aka Gray’s Anatomy which is a classic book originally written in 1858 by British anatomist and surgeon Henry Gray. The incredibly detailed anatomical drawings of Henry Gray are still some of the best anatomy diagrams of the human body that you will find to this day. The following is a sample of just a small percentage of Henry Gray’s anatomical drawings.
Republished & Upgraded Copies Gray’s Anatomy Anatomy: Descriptive and Surgical by Henry Gray
More FREE Online Anatomy Diagram of the Human Body Resources
- Gray’s Anatomy on Bartleby.com
You can find over 1200 anatomy illustrations from Gray’s Anatomy, organized by subject, all for free on Bartleby.com.
- GetBodySmart.com
Interactive in-depth Animations of the Body’s Anatomy & Physiology including an animated anatomy diagram of the human body animated to make everything easier to understand.
- Anatomy.AskTheTrainer.com
An entire sub-site of AskTheTrainer.com devoted strictly to learning or brushing up on anatomy for future personal trainers, massage therapists, athletic trainers or just those interested in the human muscular system. In addition to each anatomy diagram of human body muscles, you will find information about the structure and functions of major skeletal muscles in the human body. Our anatomy pages include the origin and insertion of each muscle, as well as concentric, isometric, and eccentric functions, trigger points, related muscles, exercises and more.
About Michael Behnken
Mike Behnken is a personal trainer who holds multiple NASM certifications and a MS in Exercise Science. Mike loves fitness, travel, and photography among many other interests.