"Surface anatomy (also called superficial anatomy and visual anatomy) is the study of the external features of the body of an animal."
Study of the underlying structures that can be seen on the surface of the skin.
Skin: The surface anatomy of the skin including layers, functions, and terminology.
Bones: Name and location of bones that can be palpated on the surface, such as the clavicle, sternum, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna, and various bones of the hand, pelvis, leg, and foot.
Muscles: Name and location of the muscles that can be palpated on the surface, such as the trapezius, deltoid, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, gluteus maximus, quadriceps femoris group, hamstrings, gastrocnemius, etc.
Tendons: Description and location of tendons that can be palpated on the surface, such as the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, biceps tendon, etc.
Ligaments: Description and location of ligaments that can be palpated on the surface, such as the collateral ligaments of the knee and ankle joints.
Nerves: Location and distribution of sensory and motor nerves that can be palpated on the surface, such as the median nerve, ulnar nerve, radial nerve, sciatic nerve, etc.
Arteries: Location and palpation of major arteries, such as the carotid artery, radial artery, brachial artery, femoral artery, etc.
Veins: Location and palpation of superficial veins, such as the jugular vein, cephalic vein, basilic vein, etc.
Organs: Location and identification of major internal organs, such as the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, etc.
Joints: Identification, location and range of motion of major joints, such as the shoulder joint, elbow joint, hip joint, knee joint, etc.
Surface markings: Surface anatomy landmarks such as moles, scars, freckles, wrinkles and birthmarks.
Palpation techniques: Techniques to examine and diagnose various diseases and conditions through the sense of touch, such as digital palpation, bimanual palpation, percussion, and auscultation.
Landmarks: Surface anatomical landmarks indicate the location of organs, bones, muscles, and other structures.
Regions: Surface anatomy can be divided into different regions of the body, such as the abdomen, head, or neck.
Projections: Projections refer to the different bumps and bony prominences on the surface of the body, such as the knee, elbow, and shoulder.
Depressions: Depressions are areas where the skin is indented, such as the navel or the pit of the neck.
Fissures: Fissures are narrow, deep openings or clefts, such as the gap between the toes or the ear canal.
Openings: Openings refer to holes in the surface of the body, such as the nostrils or the anus.
Curvatures: Curvatures refer to the natural curves in the body, such as the curve of the spine or the arches of the feet.
Ligamentous attachments: Surface anatomical features can also include the attachments of various ligaments, such as the attachment of the patellar ligament to the tibia.
"In birds, this is termed topography."
"Surface anatomy deals with anatomical features that can be studied by sight, without dissection."
"It is a branch of gross anatomy, along with endoscopic and radiological anatomy."
"Surface anatomy is a descriptive science."
"In the case of human surface anatomy, these are the form and proportions of the human body and the surface landmarks which correspond to deeper structures hidden from view, both in static pose and in motion."
"The science of surface anatomy includes the theories and systems of body proportions and related artistic canons."
"The study of surface anatomy is the basis for depicting the human body in classical art."
"physiognomy, phrenology, and palmistry rely on surface anatomy."