Premium
Anatomical spaces: A review
Author(s) -
Newell Richard L.M.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
clinical anatomy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 71
eISSN - 1098-2353
pISSN - 0897-3806
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2353(1999)12:1<66::aid-ca9>3.0.co;2-h
Subject(s) - medicine
The meaning and usefulness of the phrase “an anatomical space” are questioned. The concept of anatomical space is examined from historical, developmental, and topographical viewpoints. The validity of the idea and usage of the term “potential space” is discussed. The criterion of Haines (1991) is adopted, that only “spaces” or “cavities” that are lined with a “mesothelial” layer and that can repeatedly be opened up without tissue damage should be considered “true potential spaces.” A plea is made that all other anatomical “spaces” be designated “compartments.” Clin. Anat. 12:66–69, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.