Speculum : The Journal of the Melbourne Medical Students' Society ...

44 THE SPECULUM.Ebe $tuby of Anatomy.By A. E. COATES, M.S., Acting Professor of Anatomy, Univ. Melb.In commencing the study of Anatomy the student is often bewildered bythe nomenclature. An entirely new language would appear to he necessary.This, however,. is not the case. Any student with a passina knowledge of Latinand Greek derivations will easily understand the terms which, 6 fortunately, nearlyalways give some indication of the function of the part, e.g., Serratus Anterior,a muscle with a serrated edge lying anteriorly. This suggests at once thedigitations or finger-like processes by which it takes its origin from the ribs.Deltoid, Triceps, Sacrospinalis, Sternocleidomastoideus, Quadriceps Femoris,Trapezius, Risorius, are all names which indicate either the shape, bony attachmentor function of the particular muscle. Hepato-duodenal Ligament, PhrenicocostalSinus and such like terms further exemplify the manner in which theattachment or general arrangement of the part is indicated by the name. Everystudent of Anatomy, especially in his early years, should attempt to make thebest use of terminology. Let every name mean something to him.The study of Anatomy is undertaken by two methods. First, we maydescribe the various systems of the body in detail independent of their relationsto other structures. This is Systematic Anatomy, and is the method adoptedin the text-books such as Cunningham and Gray. Second, We may study thestructures in relation to their neighbours, so-called Topographical Anatomy.This method of studying structures and their relations is necessary to thesurgeon, who must be able to identify everything he sees in his dissection.He is often enabled to do so by noting the relation of one part to another.In disease, symptoms are often produced by the interference of a diseasedorgan with the correct functioning of another adjacent to it. This is wellillustrated in an Aneurysm of the Arch of the Aorta—a swelling of the vesselstretching and distorting various nerves and other structures in association withit, and producing syniptoins remote from the actual site of the disease.The study of the relations of the organs one to another is therefore offundamental importance in the practice of Medicirie, as well as iii the operationsof Surgery.In the second year of the course students are well advised to become conversantwith Systematic Anatomy and to learn as much of the Topographicalas possible. The topography of the Limbs must be known in detail. In thethird year great stress is laid on topography of the Abdomen, Thorax, Head,and Neck. Do not neglect the Macroscopic appearances and Relations of theCentral Nervous Systeni in the study of the intricate complexities of tractsand nuclei.The essential Method of studying topographical Anatomy is Dissection.This cannot he emphasised too much. It is impossible to visualise a structurein three dimensions. HenCe, although atlases, diagrams, museum preparations,etc., are very useful as an aid, they can never take the place of carefuldissection. It ought to be remembered that probably for rhany, this will bethe last opportunity for years for thoroughly dissecting the hotly. For manyit will be the only chance ever presented for exploring every nook arid crannyof the structure the diseases of which will be their chief concern. Then dissectcarefully and learn to observe. At this stage one must emphasise the Junctionalregions of the body. Too frequently each part is dissected separatelyfrom the other, and the regions which are of very great importance in Medicine