The Ontogenetic Basis of Human Anatomy - Essay Example

Human Anatomy The scientific study of human body morphology describes human anatomy. Scientists subdivide human anatomy into two segments that include gross anatomy and microscopic anatomy. Gross anatomy studies those anatomical structures that someone can see with naked eyes while microscopic anatomy studies structures like histology which one can only see them with the assistance of a microscope since they are minute. Despite going through evolution, human anatomy still maintains most of its ancient segmental patterns that are also present in vertebrates with basic body components repeated. Whilst studying human anatomy, it would prove vital for us took into human body organs that scientists commonly use to describe human anatomy. They include; biological systems, body organs, body tissues, and body cells and connective tissues. Due to generated history of human anatomy, scientists can now characterize the human body in order to provide more understating of how body organs and structures function. With improved technology, scientists are radically advancing methods of examination to study a human body from dissection of preserved cadavers to technological complex techniques recently developed. People, who study human anatomy such as dentists, physiotherapists, and paramedics just to mention a few, get aided by examining histological preparations practically using a microscope. In addition, students taking human anatomy as a subject also take practice by inspecting cadavers (dead human bodies) since for one to attain concrete knowledge of human anatomy; students require a thorough knowledge and practical. Studying human anatomy can dissect into two ways; regionally where students can learn regions of human bodies like chest and head or systematically to study specific systems like respiratory and nervous(Mckinley & O’Loughlin , 127). Artists greatly influenced by human anatomy, are using anatomy to perform arts. They use visual body parts and conceptual formula in which body muscles and bones stretch, deform during movement to draw, paint, or animate the shape of a human being. Authors use human anatomy when they want to bring out an advanced system of human body structures through art in modern teaching. Human anatomy goes further to explore major organ systems of human body and their purposes. For instance, it highlights the circulatory system whose function is to pump and channel blood into and out of body and lungs using heart and blood vessels. Digestive system processes food with the help of salivary glands, esophagus, stomach and the rectum. Endocrine system helps in passing information from one body part to another using hormones generated by endocrine glands like pituitary glands and thyroid. Broader attempt to analyze human anatomy in depth greatly puts down internal organs such as brain, cerebral cortex, limbic system, hypothalamus, and many more not forgetting the presence of regional groups and their essence in a human body. The head and neck, which include all what is above thoracic inlet, pelvis and premium whereby, the pelvis comprises of everything that is between the pelvic inlet and the diaphragm and the lower limb that contains everything below inguinal ligament consisting of hips, thighs, knees, and legs. The superficial commonly known as the surface anatomy, proves important when studying human body since it is the anatomical landmark that can identify contours on a human body surface (Mckinley & O’Loughlin , 314). Research on aspects of human anatomy has given rise to finer detail investigation. In recent years, scientists using forceps and scalpels supplemented findings based on light microscope technology that permitted an approximately a thousand fold of an object enlargement. Research shows that, today, with the aid of the electron microscope, 200,000 folds of magnification more are possible (Blechschmidt & Freeman, 2). This implies that with frequent improving specialized magnification, we are greatly advancing in research and investigation of human anatomy that is assisting in obtaining coherent, substantial understanding of the human body. Further research notes that it is possible to analyze how an individual arises from a fertilized egg to a fully-grown up adult. The term given for this study of such a development is embryology, which offers a full insight about the human body integration. In this study, students get to know concepts of human body like nervous and cardiovascular systems are no more than just artificial systems used to conveniently-divide the topic into sub-topics. However, no matter the strength people put to study human anatomy, analysts note it is impossible to neither show where one body system starts or ends and nor where the other commences. While in the quest of acquiring purposeful knowledge on human anatomy, the notion of functionalism of a human body is irrelevant. Scholarly arguments give a close comparison between a human hand and a claw of a cat. They put forward that, when interpreting these two body parts of these two diverse creatures and their respective functions, their subsequent body structures are not necessarily different. This is so because analysts try to give teleological thinking that is already permeating into contemporary morphology, and most probably in functional anatomy. Here researchers give functions of body parts according to their significance, which is not an understandable objective in human nature. Furthermore, it is now clear that even the unfertilized egg of a mammal is different from others, after an accurate investigation on human embryo. In relation to evolution and embryology, laws apply to differentiate the distinction between human embryology and evolution. Research defines evolution in linguistic term as simply development. However, people should understand evolution particularly in the sense of history whereby people interpret it as the progression from a lesser form to a higher form. Philosophers, who pursued evolutionary beliefs, pushed the understanding of evolution until it gained ideological significance and benefit to fundamental doctrines of culture and sociopolitical philosophies. Evolution concept suggested that, the origin of life and most presumable; species, was a mere accidental process and it took place within the cell. Embryology on the other hand, warrants a scrutiny that explains how cells merge and fertilize forming an embryo that eventually becomes a genuinely devolved creature. Historians contradict with scientists due to different perspectives of meanings in their terminologies. For example, some history researchers assumed that the history of evolution depended signally on molecular processes coupled with statistical probability hence regarded all events occurring because of chance meaningless (Blechschmidt & Freeman, 17). In spite of obvious merits and views that people express towards human anatomy, approach other’s minds with a different tone. Most of the controversy focuses on paradigm wars in response to methods of research and the validity of the outcome. Nevertheless, researchers and analysts give positive regards as far as human anatomy study grasps. If researchers could not intensify research, human body would still be a complex subject to study. Therefore, it is necessary for every medical practitioner and the likes to appreciate and recognize efforts concerted by researchers. An exemplary system of approach portrays regional approaches to human anatomy, which studies each body system independently including the human system of digestion. It helps doctors to diagnose diseases that directly infect the system since their systematic study focuses on one system at a time. This perceives the importance of human anatomy study since it helps research, understand and eventually treat patients. In conclusion, when people acquire basic human anatomy knowledge it becomes easier to understand basic care and treatment of light injuries. For instance, due to simple knowledge in biology, an injured student can easily clean and wrap a bandage around an injured body part. Moreover, basic knowledge stemmed from human anatomy helps keep instant care in case of an accident. On contrary, critics claim that not every one needs to study human anatomy in order to understand body functions. One can simply gain knowledge not only through taking human anatomy class, but also through listening to others. Critics believe, they do not need to understand human anatomy but prefer visiting experts like doctors or nurses to find out their anatomical conditions. They put across that, except doctors, the public does not necessarily need to know what “referred pain” is if they do not know or experienced it. Work Cited Blechschmidt, E. & Freeman, B. The ontogenetic basis of human anatomy: a biodynamic approach to development from conception to birth. Carlifornia: North Atlantic Books, 2004. Print. Mckinley, M. & O’Loughlin, V. Human anatomy. New York: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2007. Print. Read More