Cross sectional anatomy is the study of the shape and relationships of structures in sections taken through the body. Anatomical cross-sections plus CT and MR images have been combined in the Visible Human Project which is available on CDs in the Anatomy Museum and Learning Centre. This has been in the news because a former Neurosurgical Registrar at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Dr Paul D Urso, uses reconstruction of blood vessels around the brain to help with surgery on aneurysms. In MRI, magnetic resonance images are produced by causing resonance of molecular components when placed in a strong magnetic field, which is not considered harmful to the human body. Radiological anatomy is the study of the structure of organs and tissues based on their visualisation on X-ray films.
Artistic anatomy is the study of anatomy as applied to painting and sculpture.
The facilities of our department have been used in the past to teach students in these areas. Leonardo da Vinci was a famous inventor, artist and anatomist. Functional anatomy is concerned with the function and properties of mainly structures of the musculoskeletal system. Examples of functional anatomy include description of muscle and joint function during human walking, the investigation of loading of joints of the lower limb during walking, and determining how much force they can withstand during more strenuous activities. These analyses may lead to dysfunctional anatomy which is one of the core areas of sports medicine.