A. Anatomic position-erect body position with the arms at the sides and the palms  upward

B. Plane or section

1. Definition-imaginary flat surface formed by an extension through an axis

2. Median plane-a vertical plane. that divides a body into right and left halves

3. Sagittal plane

• Any plane parallel to the median plane
• Divides the body into right and left portions

4. Frontal plane

• Vertical plane that forms at right angles to the sagittal plane
• Divides the body into anterior and posterior sections
• Synonymous with the term coronal plane

5. Transverse plane

• Horizontal plane that forms at right angles to the sagittal and frontal planes
• Divides the body into upper and lower portions
• Synonymous with the term horizontal plane

C. Relative positions

1. Anterior

• Nearest the abdominal surface and the front of the body
• Synonymous with the term ventral
• In referring to hands and forearms, the terms palmar and Volar are used

2. Posterior

• Back of the body
• Synonymous with the term dorsal

3. Superior

• Upper or higher
• Synonymous with the term cranial (head)

4. Inferior

• Below or lower
• Synonymous with the term caudal (tail)
• In referring to the top of the foot and the sole of the foot. the terms dorsal and plantar are used respectively

5. Medial-near to the median plane

6. Lateral-farther away from the median plane

7. Proximal-near the source or attachment

8. Distal-away from the source or. attachment

9. Superficial-near the surface

10. Deep-away from the surface

11. Afferent-conducting toward a structure

12. Efferent-conducting away from a structure

The Cheeks

• The cheeks (L. buccae) form the lateral wall of the vestibule of the oral cavity.
• They have essentially the same structure as the lips with which they are continuous.

• The principal muscular component of the cheeks is the buccinator muscle.
• Superficial to the fascia covering this muscle is the buccal fatpad that gives cheeks their rounded contour, especially in infants.

• The lips and cheeks act as a functional unit (e.g. during sucking, blowing, eating, etc.).
• They act as an oral sphincter in pushing food from the vestibule to the oral cavity proper.
• The tongue and buccinator muscle keep the food between the molar teeth during chewing.

Sensory Nerves of the Cheeks

• These are branches of the maxillary and mandibular nerves.
• They supply the skin of the cheeks and the mucous membrane lining the cheeks.

•     Part of the axial skeleton; strong, flexible rod
      Supports the head
      Gives base to the ribs
      Encloses the spinal cord
      
  o    Vertebrae
      Consists of 34 bones composing the spinal column
  •    Cervical-7 bones
  •    Thoracic-12 bones
  •    Lumbar-5 bones
  •    Sacral- 5 bones.
  •    Coccygeal-4 to 5 bones

      In the adult the vertebrae of the sacral and coccygeal regions are united into two bones, the sacrum and me coccyx
      
  o    Curvatures-from a lateraI view there are four curves, alternately convex and concave ventrally
      Two convex curves are the cervical and lumbar
      Two concave curves are the thoracic and sacral

  o    Vertebra morphology

      Each vertebra differs in size and shape hut has similar components
      Body-central mass of bone
  •    Weight bearing
  •    Fonns anterior part of the vertebra
  •    Encloses the vertebral foramen
      Pedicles of the arch-two thick columns that extend backward from the body to meet with the laminae of the neural arch 

•     Process (7)
  •    One spinous, two transverse, two superior articular, and two inferior articular
  o    Spinous process extends backward from the point of the union of thetwo laminae
  o    Transverse processes project laterally at either side from the junction of the lamina and the pedicle
  o    Articular processes arise near the junction of the pedicle and the lamina- superior processes project upward:inferior processes project downward
  •    Surfaces of the processes are smooth

  o    Inferior articular processes of the vertebra fit into the superior articular processes below
  o    Form true joints, but the contacts established serve to restrict movement

  Distinguishing features

  Cervical region- triangular shape

  •    All have foramina in the transverse process upper six transmit the vertebral artery
  •    Spinous processes are short
      o    C3 to C5 are bifurcated
      o    C7 is long-prominence felt at the back of the neck
  •    Have small bodies (except for C1 vertebra)
  •    C1 vertebra (atlas)
  o    No body
  o    Anterior and posterior arch and two lateral masses
  o    Superiorarticular processes articulate with the condyles of the occipital bone
  •    C2 vertebra (axis)-process on the upper surface of the body (dens) forms a pivot about which the axis rotates

  Thoracic region

  •    Presence of facets for articulation with the ribs (distinguishing feature)
  •    Processes are larger and heavier than those of the cervical region
  •    Spinous process is directed downward at a sharp angle
  •    Circular vertebral foramen

   Lumbar region
   
  •    Large and heavy bodies
  •    Four transverse lines separate the bodies of the vertebrae on the pelvic surface
  •    Triangular shape-fitted between the  halves of the pelvis
  •    Four pairs of dorsal sacral foramina communicate with four pairs of pelvic sacral foramina

  Sacral vertebrae 
  •    Five (sometimes six) vertebrae are fused in the adult to form the sacrum
  •    The sacrum articulates above with L5, laterally with the hip bones, and inferiorly with the coccyx.
  •    It has a roughly triangular appearance with a pelvic and dorsal surface, a lateral mass on each side, and a base and apex.
  •    An anesthetic for the spinal nerves may be injected extradurally through the sacral hiatus (caudal analgesia)
  •    The sacral canal (which contains the dura, cauda equina, and filum terminale) extends from the base to the sacral hiatus. 
  •    The apex of the sacrum may be fused with the coccyx.

  
  Coccygeal vertebrae

  •    Four to five modular pieces fused together
  •    Triangular shape with the base above and the apex below

  F Defects

  •    Lordosis-exaggerated lumbar concavity
  •    Scoliosis-lateral curvature of any region
  •    Kyphosis-exaggerated convexity in the thoracic region

NEUROHISTOLOGY

The nervous system develops embryologically from ectoderm, which forms the neural plate

Successive growth and folding of the plate results in the formation of the primitive neural tube.

The neuroblasts in the wall of the tube differentiates into 3 cell types:

Neurons:  conduction of impulses

Neuroglial cells: connective tissue and support of CNS

Ependymal cells:  Lines the lumen of the tube.

   - Specialized neuro-ectodermal cells which lines the ventricles of the adult brain

                - Essentially also a neuroglial cell

Basic Unit = neuron

Exhibits irritability (excitability) and conductivity

A typical neurons consists of:

Cell body : Has nucleus (karyon) and surrounding cytoplasm (perikaryon) which contains organelles cell's vitality

Dendrites:  Several short processes

Axon:One large process

Terminates in twig like branches (telodendrons)

May also have collateral branches projecting along its course. These exit at nodes of Ranvier

Axon enveloped in a sheath, and together forms the nerve fiber

Classification:

May be done in different ways, i.e.

Functional = afferent, efferent, preganglionic, postganglionic, etc.

Morphological = shape, processes, etc

A typical morphological classification is as follows

a. Unipolar: Has one process only Not found in man

b. Bipolar (so-called ganglion cell):Has two processes Found in sensory systems, e.g. retina olfactory system

c. Multipolar: Has several process Most common in CNS

Cell bodies vary in shape, e.g.  stellate (star) , pyramidal

d. Pseudo-unipolar: Essentially bipolar neurons, but processes have swung around cb and fused with each other. They therefore enter and leave at one pole of the cell.

Typical neuron:

- Has 2 or more dendrites

Close to the cb the cytoplasm of dendrites has Nissl granules as well as mitochondria

Only one axon Arises from axon hillock, Devoid of Nissl granules, Encased in myelin sheath

No additional covering except for occasional foot processes of neuroglial cells

May branch at right angles

Branches at a node of Ranvier is known as a collateral

Ends of axons break up into tree-like branches, known as telodendria

Axons may be short (Golgi Type II) e.g. internuncial long (Golgi Type I) e.g. pyramidal neuron

Nucleus Central position Large and spherical

Chromatin is extended and thus not seen in LM. This allows the nucleolus to be prominent

Cytoplasm (perikaryon)

Surrounds nucleus  May be large or small, shape may be round, oval, flattened, pyramidal, etc

Contains aggregates Nissl granules(Bodies) which is also sometimes referred to as rhomboid flakes

aggregation of membranes and cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER)

numerous ribosomes and polyribosomes scattered between cisternae

(Polyribosome = aggregate of free ribosomes clumped together)

responsible for ongoing synthesis of new cytoplasm and cytoplasmic substances

needed for conduction of impulses

highly active in cell protein synthesis

resultant loss of power to divide which is characteristic of neurons

- Golgi network surrounding nucleus (seen in EM only)

- Fibrils made up of:

- neurofilaments

- microtubules

Tubules involved in:

1. plasmic transport

2. maintenance of cell shape

3. essential for growth and elongation of axons and dendrites

Neurofilament:

1. provide skeletal framework

2. maintenance of cell shape

3. possible role in axonal transport

(Axonal [axoplasmic; plasmic] transport may be antero- or retrograde. Anterograde transport via neurotubules is fast and moves neurotransmitters. Retrograde transport is slow and is the reason why viruses and bacteria can attack and destroy cell bodies. E.g. polio in the ventral columns and syphilis in the dorsal columns).

- Numerous mitochondria

- Neurons lack ability to store glycogen and are dependent for energy on circulating glucose

Impulses are conducted in one direction only

Dendrites conduct towards the cb

Axons conduct away from cb

Synapses:

- Neurons interconnect by way of synapses

- Normally the telodendria of an axon synapse with the dendrites of a succeeding axon

axo-dendritic synapse

This is usually excitatory

- Other types of synapses are:

 axo-axonic

May be excitatory and/or inhibitory

axo-somatic

May be excitatory and/or inhibitory

 dendrodendritic

Usually inhibitory

- Synapses are not tight junctions but maintain a narrow space the so-called synaptic cleft

- The end of an telodendron is usually enlarged (bouton) and contains many synaptic vesicles,

mitochondrion, etc. Its edge that takes part in the synapse is known as the postsynaptic membrane and no

vesicles are seen in this area

- Synapses may be chemical (as above) or electrical as in the ANS supplying smooth muscle cells subjacent to adjacent fibres

Gray and White Matter of Spinal Cord:

- Gray matter contains:

- cb's (somas) of neurons

- neuroglial cells

- White matter contains:

- vast number of axons

- no cb's

- colour of white matter due to myelin that ensheathes axons

Myelin:

- Non-viable fatty material contains phospholipids, cholesterol and some proteins

- Soluble and not seen in H&E-sections because it has become dissolved in the process, thus leaving empty spaces around the axons

- Osmium tetroxide (OsO4) fixes myelin and makes it visible by staining it black. Seen as concentric rings in cross section

- Myelin sheath (neurolemma) is formed by two types of cells

- Within the CNS by Oligodendrocytes

- On the peripheral neurons system by Schwann cells

- Sheath is formed by being wrapped around the axon in a circular fashion by both types of cells

Neuroglial Cells:

- Forms roughly 40% of CNS volume

- May function as: 1. support

2. nurture ("feeding")

3. maintain

Types of glial cells:

Oligodendrocytes:

- Small dark stained dense nucleus

- Analogue of Schwann cell in peripheral nervous system

- Has several processes which forms internodal segments of several fibres (one cell ensheathes more than one axon)

- Provides myelin sheaths in CNS

- Role in nurturing (feeding) of cells

Astrocytes:

Protoplasmic astrocytes:

- found in gray matter

- round cell body

- large oval nucleus with prominent nucleolus

- large thick processes

- processes are short but profusely branched

- perivascular and perineurial foot processes

- sometimes referred to as mossy fibres

Fibrous Astrocytes:

- found in white matter

- polymorphic cells body

- large oval nucleus

- long thin processes

Microglia:

- Neural macrophages

- smallest of the glial cells

- intense dark stained nucleus

- conspicuously fine processes which has numerous short branches

Cerebral Cortex:

Consists of six layers which are best observed in the cortex of the hippocampus

From superficial to deep:

- Molecular layer:

- Has few cells and many fibres of underlying cells

- Outer granular layer:

- Many small nerve cells

- Pyramidal layer:

- Pyramidally-shaped cells bodies

- Inner granular layer:

- Smaller cells and nerve fibres

- Internal (inner) pyramidal layer:

- Pyramidal cells bodies

- Very large in the motor cortex and known as Betz-cells

- Polymorphic layer:

- Cells with many shapes

Cerebellar Cortex:

Consists of three layers

Connections are mainly inhibitory

From superficial to deep

- Outer molecular layer:

- Few cells and many fibres

- Purkinje layer:

- Huge flask-shaped cells that are arranged next to one another

- Inner granular layer:

- Many small nerve cells

Motor endplate:

Seen in periphery on striated muscle fibres

- known as boutons

- has no continuous myelin covering from the Schwann cells

- passes through perimysium of muscle fiber to "synapse"

- multiple synaptic gutter (fold) in sarcoplasma of muscle fiber beneath bouton

- contains numerous synaptic vesicles and mitochondria

Ganglia:

- Sensory Ganglia:

(e.g. trigeminal nerve, ganglia and dorsal root ganglia)

- No synapse (trophic unit)

- pseudo-unipolar neurons

- centrally located nucleus

- spherical smooth border

- conspicuous axon hillock

- Surrounded by cuboidal satellite cells (Schwann cells)

- Covered by spindle shaped capsular cells of delicate collagen which forms the endoneurium

- Visceral and Motor Ganglia (Sympathetic and Parasympathetic):

- Synapse present

- Ratio of preganglionic: postganglionic fibres

1. Sympathetic 1:30

Therefore excitatory and catabolic

2. Parasympathetic 1:2

Therefore anabolic

Except in Meissner and Auerbach's plexuses where ratio is 1:1000 '2 because of parasympathetic component's involvement in digestion

- Preganglionic axons are myelinated (e.g. white communicating rami)

- Postganglionic axon are non-myelinated (e.g. gray communicating rami)

- small multipolar cell body

- excentrally located nucleus

- Inconspicuous axon hillock

- satellite cells few or absent

- few capsular cells

-> Most of the facial skeleton is formed by nine bones: four paired (nasal, zygomatic, maxilla, and palatine) and one unpaired (mandible).
-> The calvaria of the new-born infant is large compared with the relatively small fascial skeleton.
-> This results from the small size of the jaws and the almost complete absence of the maxillary and other paranasal sinuses in the new-born skull.
-> These sinuses form large spaces in the adult facial skeleton. As the teeth and sinuses develop during infancy and childhood, the facial bones enlarge.
-> The growth of the maxillae between the ages of 6 and 12 years accounts for the vertical elongation of the child’s face.

The Nasal Bones 

-> These bones may be felt easily because they form the bridge of the nose.
-> The right and left nasal bones articulate with each other at the internasal suture.
-> They also articulate with the frontal bones, the maxillae, and the ethmoid bones.
-> The mobility of the anteroinferior portion of the nose, supported only by cartilages, serves as a partial protection against injure (e.g., a punch in the nose). However, a hard blow to the anterosuperior bony portion of the nose may fracture the nasal bones (broken nose).
-> Often the bones are displaced sideways and/or posteriorly.

The Maxillae 

-> The skeleton of the face between the mouth and the eyes is formed by the two maxillae.
-> They surround the anterior nasal apertures and are united in the medial plane at the intermaxillary suture to form the maxilla (upper jaw).
-> This suture is also visible in the hard palate, where the palatine processes of the maxillae unite.
-> Each adult maxilla consists of: a hollow body that contains a large maxillary sinus; a zygomatic process that articulates with its mate on the other side to form most of the hard palate; and alveolar processes that form sockets for the maxillary (upper) teeth.
-> The maxillae also articulate with the vomer, lacrimal, sphenoid, and palatine bones.
-> The body of the maxilla has a nasal surface that contributes to the lateral wall of the nasal cavity; an orbital surface that forms most of the floor of the orbit; an infratemporal surface that forms the anterior wall of the infratemporal fossa; and an anterior surface that faces partly anteriorly and partly anterolaterally and is covered buy facial muscles.
-> The relatively large infraorbital foramen, which faces inferomedially, is located about 1 cm inferior to the infraorbital margin; it transmits the infraorbital nerve and vessels.
-> The incisive fossa is a shallow concavity overlying the roots of the incisor teeth, just a shallow concavity overlying the roots of the incisor teeth, just inferior to the nasal cavity. This fossa is the injection site for anaesthesia of the maxillary incisor teeth.
-> If infected maxillary teeth are removed, the bone of the alveolar processes of the maxillae begins to be reabsorbed. As a result, the maxilla becomes smaller and the shape of the face changes.
-> Owing to absorption of the alveolar processes, there is a marked reduction in the height of the lower face, which produces deep creases in the facial skin that pass posteriorly from the corners of the mouth.

The Mandible 

-> This is a U-shaped bone and forms the skeleton of the lower jaw and the inferior part of the face. It is the largest and strongest facial bone.
-> The mandibular (lower) teeth project superiorly from their sockets in the alveolar processes.
-> The mandible (L. mandere, to masticate) consists of two parts: a horizontal part called the body, and two vertical oblong parts, called rami.
-> Each ramus ascends almost vertically from the posterior aspect of the body.
-> The superior part of the ramus has two processes: a posterior condylar process with a head or condyle and a neck, and a sharp anterior coronoid process.
-> The condylar process is separated from the coronoid process by the mandibular notch, which forms the concave superior border of the mandible.
-> Viewed from the superior aspect, the mandible is horseshoe-shaped, whereas each half is L-shaped when viewed laterally.
-> The rami and body meet posteriorly at the angle of the mandible.
-> Inferior to the second premolar tooth on each side of the mandible is a mental foramen (L. mentum, chin) for transmission of the mental vessels and the mental nerve.
-> In the anatomical position, the rami of the mandible are almost vertical, except in infants and in edentulous (toothless) adults.
-> On the internal aspect of the ramus, there is a large mandibular foramen.
-> It is the oblong entrance to the mandibular canal that transmits the inferior alveolar vessels and nerve to the roots of the mandibular teeth.
-> Branches of these vessels and the mental nerve emerge from the mandibular canal at the mental foramen.
-> Running inferiorly and slightly anteriorly on the internal surface of the mandible from the mandibular foramen is a small mylohyoid groove (sulcus), which indicates the course taken by the mylohyoid nerve and vessels.
-> These structures arise from the inferior alveolar nerve and vessels, just before they enter the mandibular foramen.
-> The internal surface of the mandible is divided into two areas by the mylohyoid line, which commences posterior to the third molar tooth. -> Just superior to the anterior end of the mylohyoid line are two small, sharp mental spines (genial tubercles), which serve as attachments for the genioglssus muscles.

The Zygomatic Bones 

-> The prominences of the cheeks (L. mala), the anterolateral rims and much of the infraorbital margins of the orbits, are formed by the zygomatic bones (malar bones, cheekbones).
-> They articulate with the frontal, maxilla, sphenoid, and temporal bones.
-> The frontal process of the zygomatic bone passes superiorly, where it forms the lateral border of the orbit (eye socket) and articulates with the frontal bone at the lateral edge of the supraorbital margin.
-> The zygomatic bones articulate medially with the greater wings of the sphenoid bone. The site of their articulation may be observed on the lateral wall of the orbit.
-> On the anterolateral aspect of the zygomatic bone near the infraorbital margin is a small zygomaticofacial foramen for the nerve and vessels of the same name.
-> The posterior surface of the zygomatic bone near the base of its frontal process is pierced by a small zygomaticotemporal foramen for the nerve of the same name.
-> The zygomaticofacial and zygomaticotemporal nerves, leaving the orbit through the previously named foramina, enter the zygomatic bone through small zygomaticoorbital foramina that pierces it orbital surface.
-> The temporal process of the zygomatic bone unites with the zygomatic process of the temporal bone to form the zygomatic arch.
-> This arch can be easily palpated on the side of the head, posterior to the zygomatic prominence (malar eminence) at the inferior boundary of the temporal fossa (temple).
-> The zygomatic arches form one of the useful landmarks for determining the location of the pterion. These arches are especially prominent in emaciated persons.
-> A horizontal plane passing medially from the zygomatic arch separates the temporal fossa superiorly from the infratemporal fossa inferiorly.

Other Bones

There are several other, very important bones in the skull, including the palatine bone, ethmoid bone, vomer, inferior concha and the ossicles of the ear (malleus, incus and stapes). These, however, are covered to greater detail where they are relevant in the head (e.g., ethmoid bone with the orbit and nasal cavity).

Muscles of the Pharynx

• This consists of three constrictor muscles and three muscles that descend from the styloid process, the cartilaginous part of the auditory tube and the soft palate.

External Muscles of the Pharynx 

• The paired superior, middle, and inferior constrictor muscles form the external circular part of the muscular layer of the wall.
• These muscles overlap each other and are arranged so that the superior one is innermost and the inferior one is outermost.

• These muscles contract involuntarily in a way that results in contraction taking place sequentially from the superior to inferior end of the pharynx.
• This action propels food into the oesophagus.

• All three constrictors of the pharynx are supplied by the pharyngeal plexus of nerves, which lies on the lateral wall of the pharynx, mainly on the middle constrictor of the pharynx.
• This plexus is formed by pharyngeal branches of the glossopharyngeal (CN IX) and vagus (CN X) nerves.

The Superior Constrictor Muscle

• Origin: pterygoid hamulus, pterygomandibular raphe, posterior end of the mylohyoid line of the mandible, and side of tongue.
• Insertion: median raphe of pharynx and pharyngeal tubercle.
• Innervation: though the pharyngeal plexus of nerves.

• The pterygomandibular raphe is the fibrous line of junction between the buccinator and superior constrictor muscles.

The Middle Constrictor Muscle

• Origin: stylohyoid ligament and greater and lesser horns of hyoid bone.
• Insertion: median raphe of pharynx.
• Innervation: through the pharyngeal plexus of nerves.

The Inferior Constrictor Muscle

• Origin: oblique line of thyroid cartilage and side of cricoid cartilage.
• Insertion: median raphe of pharynx.
• Innervation: through the pharyngeal plexus of nerves.

• The fibres arising from the cricoid cartilage are believed to act as a sphincter, preventing air from entering the oesophagus. 

Gaps in the Pharyngeal Musculature

• The overlapping arrangement of the three constrictor muscles leaves 4 deficiencies or gaps in the pharyngeal musculature.
• Various structures enter and leave the pharynx through these gaps.

• Superior to the superior constrictor muscle, the levator veli palatini muscle, the auditory tube, and the ascending palatine artery pass through a gap between the superior constrictor muscle and the skull.
• Superior to the superior border of the superior constrictor, the pharyngobasilar fascia blends with the buccopharyngeal fascia to form, with the mucous membrane, the thin wall of the pharyngeal recess.

• Between the superior and middle constrictor muscles, the gateway to the mouth, though which pass the stylopharyngeus muscle, the glossopharyngeal nerve (CN IX), and the stylohyoid ligament.

• Between the middle and inferior constrictor muscles, the internal laryngeal nerve and the superior laryngeal artery and vein pass to the larynx.

• Inferior to the inferior constrictor muscles, the recurrent laryngeal nerve and inferior laryngeal artery pass superiorly into the larynx.