Here you’ll find the answers to most of your Anatomy Links questions. The video tutorials in the side bar show you how Anatomy Links works and contain some practical examples.

If you cannot find an answer to your question(s) you can contact me through the form at the bottom of your screen. You can also use this form in case you like to send me your suggestions or feedback.

01. What is Anatomy Links?
Anatomy Links is a detailed relational anatomy resource for physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, massage therapists and other body workers.

Anatomy Links is designed to make understanding and recognizing the bodies' structural integrity easier.
02. What can I use Anatomy Links for?
You can use Anatomy Links to increase your understanding of the bodies' structural integrity, increase your anatomical know how, and improve your soft issue pain, dysfunction, and injury diagnoses and treatment results.
03. Who can use Anatomy Links?
Anatomy links is developed for physicians, osteopaths, chiropractors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, massage therapists, strength coaches, personal trainers, (medical) students, and anybody interested in the human body.
04. What does the Anatomy Links application show?
The application provides a clear overview of the bodies’ structural integrity by showing anatomical units.

The left column shows the connector you’re evaluating. It contains illustration referrals and a concise description of the connector in question. A number to the right side of the connector names shows how many connectees it has.

The middle column shows the organ-categories that are part of the anatomical unit you’re looking at. By “selecting” them you can switch from organ-category to organ-category. A number to the right side of each organ-category-name shows how many connectees per organ-category relate to the connector.

The right column shows the connectees that relate to the connector in question. Per default the connectees from the first organ-category are visible. A number to the right side of the connectee names shows the number of organs that connect with it. The connectees from other organ-categories become visible by changing categories in the middle column. If you want more information on a particular connectee you can simply “click on” it.
05. What is an Organ-Category?
An organ-category is a group of (individually) named organs that have a similar structure and function, or belong to the same organ system.
06. I notice you use the term "organ" rather freely. Can you explain?
Although most people associate the term "organ" with intestines or viscera I have chosen to use the term slightly different.

For practical reasons I refer to arteries, bones, bursae, the brain, deep fasciae, the heart, the interpubic disc, intervertebral discs, kidneys, labra, ligaments, the liver, menisci, muscles, peripheral nerves, and so on as organs.

Further down in the FAQ you can find an explanation of what organs and tissues are considered under each individual organ-category.
07. What is a Connector?
A connector is a (individually) named organ.

From a pain, dysfunction, and injury point of view a connector can be involved in the pain, dysfunction, and injury problems of your client.
08. What is a Connectee?
A connectee is a (individually) named organ that connects with a connector.

From a pain, dysfunction, and injury point of view a connectee can be involved in the pain, dysfunction, and injury problems of your client.
09. What is an Anatomical Unit?
An Anatomical Unit is a single connector and all its connectees.
10. What is a Trail?
A trail is a series of at least 2 physically linked connectors.

A trail can run in every possible direction (i.e. distal, proximal, medial, lateral, etc.) and can contain connectors from ANY organ-category (i.e. artery, bone, deep fascia, muscle, peripheral NS, etc).
11. What is a Fixed Connection?
A Fixed Connection is a link between a connector and connectee that does not allow – or is not supposed to allow – any movement between connecting parts.

This type of connection is generally established through the connector and connectee unique connective tissues that surround and invest them. From a functional perspective, the solid union – no freedom or slack between connecting parts whatsoever – between connecting organs is a requirement for proper function.

Examples of fixed connections are the connections between joint capsule and bone (enthesis), ligament and bone (enthesis), and muscle and deep fascia (muscular origin or insertion). Other examples are arteries and veins connecting with the organs they supply, and nerves connecting with the organs they innervate.
12. What is a Not Fixed Connection?
A Not Fixed Connection is a link between a connector and connectee that allows – or is supposed to allow – at least some movement between connecting parts.

With the exception of not fixed connections between bones – referred to as (synovial) joints – this type of link is generally established through a layer of loose connective tissue wedged between the connecting parts – the not fixed connections between bones are established through synovial fluid. From a functional perspective, the “free” relationship – a certain degree of kinetic freedom or slack – between connecting organs is a requirement for proper function.

Examples of not fixed connections are the connections between adjacent muscles, the connections between bones (joints) and most of the connections between arteries, peripheral nerves, veins and the organs they run over, under, or through.
13. What do the numbers next to the connector, organ-category and connectees mean?
The numbers to the right side of the connector, organ-categories, and connectees show the number of linked organs aka connectees.

The number next to the connector name shows how many connectees it has. The numbers to the right of the organ-category-names indicate the number of connectees per organ-category. And the number that accompanies each connectee shows how many organs connect with it.
14. What do the icons in the application stand for?
The icons provide information about the connections between connectors and connectees.

You can find an explanation of each individual icon by selecting the “Legend” button in the application.
15. Why do some connectees have more than one set of icons?
A connector can relate to a connectee in more than one way.

A double set of icons indicate 2 unique connections, while three sets of icons indicate 3 unique connections between a connector and connectee.

A peripheral nerve for example can run over a muscle AND innervate it. It can have both a direct-not-fixed AND a direct-fixed connection with a single muscle.
16. Why are some connectees shown twice?
If a connector relates with two mirrored (physically different) connectees that carry the same name, they are listed twice.

Left and Right icons point toward their position in relation to the connector and help differentiate between the equally named organs.

The interpubic disc for example connects with two innominata or pelvis bones, one on its left AND one on its right side.
17. Does Anatomy Links show every connection of the lower extremity?
Anatomy Links shows as many links as possible.

However, because the body contains thousands of inter-organ links not every physical connections is extensively researched, described or explained.

Like every research project, Anatomy Links is a work in progress.
18. This is too much information; can I change what I see?
Yes, you can change the output under “Settings”.

You can control which connectors and connectees you see by deactivating unwanted organ-categories. Doing so can limit the output for example to only bones and muscles or just the peripheral NS.

Next to controlling the organ-categories you can decide to include or exclude direct-fixed and direct-not-fixed connections.
19. What can I use Feedback for?
You can use the feedback form to leave me feedback and suggestions about the application.
20. Which sources are used to build Anatomy links?
Anatomy Links is built on data derived from hundreds of anatomical research papers and dozens of human anatomy books and atlases.

All used references are complied in the Anatomy Links References List.
21. What about Anatomy Links updates?
We update the anatomical content of Anatomy Links on a regular basis. New updates are announced in the News category of the Blog section.
22. What is considered under the organ-category "Artery"?
The individually named arteries and their named branches are considered under Artery. The connecting nameless and mostly organ investing, arteries, arterioles and capillaries are also considered under the organ category Artery. Finally, the artery, arteriole, and capillary specific connective tissues are considered under Artery as well.
23. What is considered under the organ-category "Bone"?
The individually named bones including the (articular) hyaline cartilage that covers their (articular) ends are considered under the organ category Bone. The bone and cartilage specific connective tissues are also considered under Bone.
24. What is considered under the organ-category "Bursa"?
The individually named bursae are considered under the organ-category Bursa. The bursa specific connective tissues are considered under Bursa as well.
25. What is considered under the organ-category "Deep Fascia"?
The individually named (enveloping) deep fascia planes, septa, membranes, and retinacula are considered under the organ-category Deep fascia. The deep fascia specific connective tissues are considered under Deep fascia as well.
26. What is considered under the organ-category "Interpubic disc"?
The interpubic disc is considered under the organ-category Interpubic disc. The interpubic disc specific connective tissues are considered under Interpubic disc as well.
27. What is considered under the organ-category "Joint capsule"?
The individually named fibrous membranes and, if present, their synovial membranes are considered under the organ-category Joint capsule. The fibrous and synovial membrane specific connective tissues are considered under Joint capsule as well.
28. What is considered under the organ-category "Labrum"?
The individually named labra are considered under the organ-category Labrum. The labrum specific connective tissues are considered under Labrum as well.
29. What is considered under the organ-category "Ligament"?
The individually named capsular, extracapsular and intra-articular ligaments are considered under the organ-category Ligament. The ligament specific connective tissues are considered under Ligament as well.
30. What is considered under the organ-category "Meniscus"?
The individually named menisci are considered under the organ-category Meniscus. The meniscus specific connective tissues are considered under Meniscus as well.
31. What is considered under the organ-category "Muscle"?
The individually named muscles, their tendons/aponeuroses and tendon sheaths, and the individually named conjoint tendons are considered under the organ-category Muscle. The muscle, tendon/aponeurosis and tendon sheath specific connective tissues are considered under Muscle as well.
32. What is considered under the organ-category "Peripheral NS"?
The individual named dorsal and ventral roots, spinal nerves, neural plexuses, the sympathetic trunk and all named peripheral nerves, peripheral nerve branches, their sensory endings (free and encapsulated) and motor end-plates are considered under the organ-category Peripheral NS - Peripheral Nervous System. The connective tissues specific to the peripheral nervous system are considered under Peripheral NS as well.
33. What is considered under the organ-category "Skin"?
The organ-category Skin is not yet defined.
34. What is considered under the organ-category "Superficial fascia"?
The organ-category Superficial fascia is not yet defined.
35. What is considered under the organ-category "Vein"?
The individually named veins and their named branches are considered under the organ-category Vein. The connecting nameless and mostly organ investing veins and venules are also considered under Vein. And finally, the vein and venule specific connective tissues are considered under Vein as well.
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