Human Anatomy - Kotsan I. Y. 2009

Introduction
Principles of Studying Anatomy

The Study of anatomy is based on a series of quantitative and qualitative regularities (principles).

The descriptive principle is based on describing the shape and Structure of individual Organs and body parts. Until about the mid-19th century, this was the primary principle of study.

The functional principle involves studying The structure of the Organism, its individual parts, and organs in inextricable connection with their Functions. This principle explains structure directly in relation to function and demonstrates their unity.

The system-structural principle enables a deep investigation of body structure, progressing from the smallest component to the largest (Cell — tissue — organ — system — organism). From the perspective of the system-structural principle, three groups of systems are distinguished in The Human Body:

1) support and movement — skeletal and muscular;

2) life-support — digestive, respiratory, and urogenital;

3) integrating — vascular, endocrine, and nervous systems, which unite and control the other systems.

The age-related principle involves studying Changes in the STRUCTURE OF THE body and its individual parts in The process of individual development (ontogeny).

The topographical principle focuses on the mutual arrangement of individual organs and their parts. The founder of this approach was N.I. Pirogov.

The causal principle involves studying the interdependence of form and function.