What is human clinical anatomy?

From the Guidelines

Human clinical anatomy is the study of the structure and organization of the human body as it relates to medical practice and patient care, focusing on understanding physical components and their relationships to inform clinical diagnosis, surgical procedures, and disease treatment. This field is crucial in healthcare settings, where medical professionals must identify anatomical landmarks, understand disease progression pathways, and recognize anatomical variations that could impact medical interventions 1.

Key Aspects of Human Clinical Anatomy

• It emphasizes practical applications in healthcare, differing from basic anatomy by its focus on clinical relevance
• Includes the study of organs, tissues, muscles, bones, and their interrelationships
• Informs physical examinations, medical imaging interpretation, surgical planning, and understanding of symptom physiology
• Serves as the foundation for all medical specialties, enabling healthcare providers to visualize internal structures and anticipate disease manifestations based on affected anatomical regions

Application in Diverse Patient Populations

The importance of human clinical anatomy is highlighted in the care of transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals, where understanding a patient's anatomy and gender identity is critical for making informed cancer treatment decisions 1. For instance, the volume of breast tissue remaining after chest-masculinizing top surgery in a transgender man can significantly influence decisions regarding local and systemic cancer therapies.

Clinical Implications

• Accurate documentation of a patient's anatomy, as relevant to their care, is essential for ensuring that care teams understand local and systemic therapy options
• Clinicians may need to consult directly with surgeons who provided gender-affirming care to understand the extent of prior surgery and the implications for cancer treatment
• The experiences of gender dysphoria can also affect cancer treatment choices, with some procedures potentially aligning with or compromising a patient's gender identity 1

From the Research

Definition of Human Clinical Anatomy

Human clinical anatomy refers to the study of the structure and organization of the human body in relation to its function and disease [(2,3,4,5)]. It is a fundamental discipline that provides the basis for understanding the relationship between the body's structure and its function, as well as the changes that occur in disease [(2,4)].

Importance of Human Clinical Anatomy

The study of human clinical anatomy is essential for medical students and practitioners, as it provides the foundation for understanding the diagnosis, treatment, and management of diseases [(2,4,5)]. It is also crucial for the development of clinical skills, such as physical examination, symptom interpretation, and radiological image interpretation [(4,5)].

Key Concepts in Human Clinical Anatomy

Some of the key concepts in human clinical anatomy include:

• Anatomical position and bilateral symmetry 3
• General structures and vocabulary of the outer shapes of the human body 3
• Levels of structural organization, including chemical, cellular, tissue, organ, and system levels 3
• Rules and principles of anatomy, including the four fundamental laws of anatomy 3
• Neuroanatomical organization, including cytoarchitectural and morphological regions of the cerebral cortex, white matter structure, and connectivity 6

Applications of Human Clinical Anatomy

Human clinical anatomy has numerous applications in medical practice, including:

• Diagnosis and treatment of diseases [(2,4)]
• Development of clinical skills, such as physical examination and symptom interpretation [(4,5)]
• Radiological image interpretation [(4,5)]
• Neuroimaging data annotation and organization 6
• Development of 3D brain models 6