What is Anatomy?

The word anatomy comes from the Greek anatomein, derived from "ana", upwards, and "temnein", to cut, "to cut lengthwise". Anatomy is the branch of biology that deals with describing the topography, structure, development and function of the structures and organs of living beings.
Human Anatomy is responsible for the study and knowledge of the physical structures of the human being.
The anatomy is divided into several branches, depending on the structure it studies:
Topological anatomy: Study the relationship between internal organs and their projection on the body surface.
Descriptive anatomy: it deals with describing the body systems and the organs that make them up.
Microscopic anatomy or Histology: studies the cellular structure of the organs, describing the cellular and tissue structures.
Developmental anatomy or embryology: studies the body structure from fertilization to birth.
Functional anatomy or physiology. Study the functioning of the organs.
Radiological anatomy: Study the relationships between radiological images and body structures.

Regional anatomy: Study the human body by regions: Head, arm, abdomen, pelvis, etc.
The oldest treatises are based on the works of Galen and Hippocrates, and for many centuries, until after the Middle Ages, they remained unchallenged, mainly due to the taboo of respect for dead.
During the Renaissance the main works are due to Leonardo DaVinci, Miguel Angel, and above all, Andrés Vesalius, who publishes the most complete treatise to date on human anatomy: “De humanis corpore factory". There were few subsequent studies, so this treatise remained unchallenged until the mid-19th century.
The implantation of the scientific method in medicine has brought an impetus to the improvement of anatomy; In addition, new technologies allow to know the anatomy and physiology in the living body.