Anatomy is a discipline that is of great importance in medicine. This science studies both the external structure of the body and its internal structure. With the accumulation of surgical experience on the basis of anatomy, topographic anatomy was formed, and then became a separate discipline, which allows surgeons performing operations to study the structure of the human body in separate areas, paying attention to the relationship between internal organs.
What is topography in anatomy?
Anatomical topography is a branch of anatomy that studies the layered structure of areas of the human body, the location of organs relative to each other, holotopia and skeletonotopy, as well as blood supply and lymph flow during normal development of the body and pathology, taking into account all age and gender characteristics of a person. This section of anatomy is of great importance for medicine, as it represents the theoretical basis for operative surgery.
Section Description
Anatomical topography is a science that studies the structure of the human body from known parts of the body that are conditionally isolated, such as the trunk, head, limbs and more. Each part is divided into areas of small size, special attention is given to the location of the anatomical formations, as well as their image on the surface of the body.
Thus, this section of anatomy is the basis for the diagnosis of internal organs. So, the topography of the internal organs is carried out using the method of studying tissues in layers in certain areas of the body. This is necessary for the practice of a physician, so that he has the opportunity to determine the location of the pathology, and also could provide accurate data for surgical interventions, during which there is a need to dissect tissue deep into layers.
Topography Tasks
The main task of studying topography in anatomy is an accurate description of the anatomical regions in layers. The areas here are parts of the body that are conditionally delimited by lines, both natural and artificially drawn. Natural boundaries appear in the form of skin folds, bone protrusions, etc.
Thus, topography in anatomy is a discipline that also studies the landmarks of certain areas along the bones and muscles, the image of internal organs, blood vessels and nerves on the surface of the human body, the location of internal organs relative to areas of the body (holotopia), relative to the skeleton (skeletonotopy), and also to adjacent anatomical formations (syntopy). For example, the spleen is holotopically in the left hypochondrium, skeletotopically in the ninth, tenth and eleventh ribs, and synthetically the spleen is located near the diaphragm, stomach, left kidney and adrenal gland, pancreatic tail.
The task of topography is to study the forms of the individual anatomical structure of the human body. It is customary to distinguish between brachymorphic and dolichomorphic forms, which is caused by the physique of a person and the severity of the injury. The topography of organs that are in a certain cavity of the human body coincides with the shape of the physique. This, in turn, predetermines surgical techniques.
Topography Objectives
Anatomical topography has the following objectives:
- Displays the topography of a specific area.
- The study of the position of the layers, as well as their properties.
- Revealing the coordinates of a specific organ in two-dimensional space.
- Description of the relationship of organs in a three-dimensional coordinate system.
Thus, the foundations of topography lie in the study of such branches of science as embossed anatomy, stratigraphy, planimetry, and stereometry. Relief anatomy plays an important role in the diagnosis, as well as in the refinement of visions in the dynamics of the progression of pathology and the results of treatment. The relief features that are found upon examination of a person are dynamic and static.
Topography subject
So that the doctor can navigate in a certain area, he needs to be able to probe the main bone formations (landmarks), muscles, tendons. At a certain position of the parts of the body, the muscles and tendons are visible on their own, this also applies to superficial veins. Also here, the ability to feel the pulse of arteries is important, it is necessary to know the projections of nerves and blood vessels (lines that contribute to their position in depth) in order to have access to them during operations. It is also necessary to be able to project the contours of organs on the surface of the human body in order to have an idea of their boundaries. With palpation, organs that are susceptible to a pathological change can be examined. An important role is played here by the study of lymph nodes and blood vessels in order to correctly determine the development paths of the circulatory system.
The topography of internal organs and blood vessels provides a wealth of information that is important for practical medicine, primarily for practicing surgeons and therapists. This section of anatomy is called applied.
The subject of topography is the study of the anatomy of limbs in injuries, the pathways of hematomas, the development of collateral circulation, and more. Also important is the study of those changes in topography that occur under the influence of impulses of the nervous system. So, the topography of the vessels can change, depending on how individual muscle groups contract.
Anatomical Topography Methods
Research methods used in anatomical topography are divided into two groups: the diagnosis of a living person and the diagnosis of a corpse. The surface of the human body is studied in order to correctly determine the landmarks of bones and muscles, to identify the direction of surgical incisions. Today, such diagnostic methods as computer topography, radiography, angiography, fluoroscopy and stereography, radionuclide scintigraphy are widely used. Often used thermography taking into account infrared radiation, as well as MRI.
To make a more accurate diagnosis, doctors use endoscopic diagnostic methods, which include cardioscopy, gastroscopy, bronchoscopy and sigmoidoscopy. Experimental modeling is often introduced in order to be able to study changes in different pathological conditions and operations. Moreover, pathological conditions are studied in animals in order to adjust surgical techniques and methods in the future. So, topography is a branch of anatomy that is important for the surgeon. It helps him to properly study the structure and location of organs in order to effectively carry out surgical interventions.
Topography of a corpse
When examining a dead body, methods such as topographic anatomical dissection are used. It allows using individual cuts, which are made in layers, to examine all tissues in a certain area, as well as the ratio of vessels and nerves, the location of organs. For the first time, this method (cut of a corpse) was proposed by Pirogov N.I. Using cuts of a corpse, which are carried out in the horizontal, sagittal and frontal planes, it is possible to determine with precision the localization of organs in the body, as well as their location relative to each other. Pirogov N.I. was also proposed the sculptural method, which is characterized by the removal on a dead body of all tissues that surround a particular organ that needs to be studied.
Topography is a discipline in which the injection method of investigation is applied. It is designed to be able to study the human vascular system. Vessels (lymphatic and blood vessels) are filled with solutions of various colors, then they begin to dissect or use radiography. The corrosion method of research is the filling of vessels with special masses. Next, the tissues are dissolved in acid, obtaining casts of formations that need to be studied.
Modern research methods
Today, the topography of human organs involves the use of histological, biochemical, histochemical diagnostic methods. Autoradiography is widely used to study the accumulation and distribution of radionuclides in tissues and organs. In order to identify microscopic formations, an electron microscopic diagnostic method is used. Electronic microscopes are used that allow you to scan and shine through human organs and tissues.
Summary
Today, topography of organs is widely used in medicine, in particular in surgical surgery and therapy. The founder of this discipline is N. Pirogov. This branch of anatomy helps to correctly carry out surgical interventions that do not entail negative consequences. Without this knowledge, operations cannot be performed. Discipline helps to understand the mechanisms of pathological processes, make an accurate diagnosis, predict the development of compensatory processes after surgical interventions.