# SuperficialAnatomy - Schema.org Type

> Source: https://schema.org/SuperficialAnatomy
> Extracted: 2026-02-16T22:01:53.611Z

---

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Anatomical features that can be observed by sight (without dissection), including the form and proportions of the human body as well as surface landmarks that correspond to deeper subcutaneous structures. Superficial anatomy plays an important role in sports medicine, phlebotomy, and other medical specialties as underlying anatomical structures can be identified through surface palpation. For example, during back surgery, superficial anatomy can be used to palpate and count vertebrae to find the site of incision. Or in phlebotomy, superficial anatomy can be used to locate an underlying vein; for example, the median cubital vein can be located by palpating the borders of the cubital fossa (such as the epicondyles of the humerus) and then looking for the superficial signs of the vein, such as size, prominence, ability to refill after depression, and feel of surrounding tissue support. As another example, in a subluxation (dislocation) of the glenohumeral joint, the bony structure becomes pronounced with the deltoid muscle failing to cover the glenohumeral joint allowing the edges of the scapula to be superficially visible. Here, the superficial anatomy is the visible edges of the scapula, implying the underlying dislocation of the joint (the related anatomical structure).

Property

Expected Type

Description

Properties from [SuperficialAnatomy](https://schema.org/SuperficialAnatomy "SuperficialAnatomy")

`[associatedPathophysiology](https://schema.org/associatedPathophysiology "associatedPathophysiology")`

[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")

If applicable, a description of the pathophysiology associated with the anatomical system, including potential abnormal changes in the mechanical, physical, and biochemical functions of the system.

`[relatedAnatomy](https://schema.org/relatedAnatomy "relatedAnatomy")`

[AnatomicalStructure](https://schema.org/AnatomicalStructure "AnatomicalStructure")  or  
[AnatomicalSystem](https://schema.org/AnatomicalSystem "AnatomicalSystem")

Anatomical systems or structures that relate to the superficial anatomy.

`[relatedCondition](https://schema.org/relatedCondition "relatedCondition")`

[MedicalCondition](https://schema.org/MedicalCondition "MedicalCondition")

A medical condition associated with this anatomy.

`[relatedTherapy](https://schema.org/relatedTherapy "relatedTherapy")`

[MedicalTherapy](https://schema.org/MedicalTherapy "MedicalTherapy")

A medical therapy related to this anatomy.

`[significance](https://schema.org/significance "significance")`

[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")

The significance associated with the superficial anatomy; as an example, how characteristics of the superficial anatomy can suggest underlying medical conditions or courses of treatment.

Properties from [MedicalEntity](https://schema.org/MedicalEntity "MedicalEntity")

`[code](https://schema.org/code "code")`

[MedicalCode](https://schema.org/MedicalCode "MedicalCode")

A medical code for the entity, taken from a controlled vocabulary or ontology such as ICD-9, DiseasesDB, MeSH, SNOMED-CT, RxNorm, etc.

`[funding](https://schema.org/funding "funding")`

[Grant](https://schema.org/Grant "Grant")

A [Grant](https://schema.org/Grant) that directly or indirectly provide funding or sponsorship for this item. See also [ownershipFundingInfo](https://schema.org/ownershipFundingInfo).  
Inverse property: [fundedItem](https://schema.org/fundedItem "fundedItem")

`[guideline](https://schema.org/guideline "guideline")`

[MedicalGuideline](https://schema.org/MedicalGuideline "MedicalGuideline")

A medical guideline related to this entity.

`[legalStatus](https://schema.org/legalStatus "legalStatus")`

[DrugLegalStatus](https://schema.org/DrugLegalStatus "DrugLegalStatus")  or  
[MedicalEnumeration](https://schema.org/MedicalEnumeration "MedicalEnumeration")  or  
[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")

The drug or supplement's legal status, including any controlled substance schedules that apply.

`[medicineSystem](https://schema.org/medicineSystem "medicineSystem")`

[MedicineSystem](https://schema.org/MedicineSystem "MedicineSystem")

The system of medicine that includes this MedicalEntity, for example 'evidence-based', 'homeopathic', 'chiropractic', etc.

`[recognizingAuthority](https://schema.org/recognizingAuthority "recognizingAuthority")`

[Organization](https://schema.org/Organization "Organization")

If applicable, the organization that officially recognizes this entity as part of its endorsed system of medicine.

`[relevantSpecialty](https://schema.org/relevantSpecialty "relevantSpecialty")`

[MedicalSpecialty](https://schema.org/MedicalSpecialty "MedicalSpecialty")

If applicable, a medical specialty in which this entity is relevant.

`[study](https://schema.org/study "study")`

[MedicalStudy](https://schema.org/MedicalStudy "MedicalStudy")

A medical study or trial related to this entity.

Properties from [Thing](https://schema.org/Thing "Thing")

`[additionalType](https://schema.org/additionalType "additionalType")`

[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")  or  
[URL](https://schema.org/URL "URL")

An additional type for the item, typically used for adding more specific types from external vocabularies in microdata syntax. This is a relationship between something and a class that the thing is in. Typically the value is a URI-identified RDF class, and in this case corresponds to the use of rdf:type in RDF. Text values can be used sparingly, for cases where useful information can be added without their being an appropriate schema to reference. In the case of text values, the class label should follow the schema.org [style guide](https://schema.org/docs/styleguide.html).

`[alternateName](https://schema.org/alternateName "alternateName")`

[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")

An alias for the item.

`[description](https://schema.org/description "description")`

[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")  or  
[TextObject](https://schema.org/TextObject "TextObject")

A description of the item.

`[disambiguatingDescription](https://schema.org/disambiguatingDescription "disambiguatingDescription")`

[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")

A sub property of description. A short description of the item used to disambiguate from other, similar items. Information from other properties (in particular, name) may be necessary for the description to be useful for disambiguation.

`[identifier](https://schema.org/identifier "identifier")`

[PropertyValue](https://schema.org/PropertyValue "PropertyValue")  or  
[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")  or  
[URL](https://schema.org/URL "URL")

The identifier property represents any kind of identifier for any kind of [Thing](https://schema.org/Thing), such as ISBNs, GTIN codes, UUIDs etc. Schema.org provides dedicated properties for representing many of these, either as textual strings or as URL (URI) links. See [background notes](https://schema.org/docs/datamodel.html#identifierBg) for more details.

`[image](https://schema.org/image "image")`

[ImageObject](https://schema.org/ImageObject "ImageObject")  or  
[URL](https://schema.org/URL "URL")

An image of the item. This can be a [URL](https://schema.org/URL) or a fully described [ImageObject](https://schema.org/ImageObject).

`[mainEntityOfPage](https://schema.org/mainEntityOfPage "mainEntityOfPage")`

[CreativeWork](https://schema.org/CreativeWork "CreativeWork")  or  
[URL](https://schema.org/URL "URL")

Indicates a page (or other CreativeWork) for which this thing is the main entity being described. See [background notes](https://schema.org/docs/datamodel.html#mainEntityBackground) for details.  
Inverse property: [mainEntity](https://schema.org/mainEntity "mainEntity")

`[name](https://schema.org/name "name")`

[Text](https://schema.org/Text "Text")

The name of the item.

`[owner](https://schema.org/owner "owner")`

[Organization](https://schema.org/Organization "Organization")  or  
[Person](https://schema.org/Person "Person")

A person or organization who owns this Thing.  
Inverse property: [owns](https://schema.org/owns "owns")

`[potentialAction](https://schema.org/potentialAction "potentialAction")`

[Action](https://schema.org/Action "Action")

Indicates a potential Action, which describes an idealized action in which this thing would play an 'object' role.

`[sameAs](https://schema.org/sameAs "sameAs")`

[URL](https://schema.org/URL "URL")

URL of a reference Web page that unambiguously indicates the item's identity. E.g. the URL of the item's Wikipedia page, Wikidata entry, or official website.

`[subjectOf](https://schema.org/subjectOf "subjectOf")`

[CreativeWork](https://schema.org/CreativeWork "CreativeWork")  or  
[Event](https://schema.org/Event "Event")

A CreativeWork or Event about this Thing.  
Inverse property: [about](https://schema.org/about "about")

`[url](https://schema.org/url "url")`

[URL](https://schema.org/URL "URL")

URL of the item.

Instances of [SuperficialAnatomy](https://schema.org/SuperficialAnatomy "SuperficialAnatomy") may appear as a value for the following properties

Property

On Types

Description

[associatedAnatomy](https://schema.org/associatedAnatomy "associatedAnatomy")

[MedicalCondition](https://schema.org/MedicalCondition "MedicalCondition")  or  
[PhysicalActivity](https://schema.org/PhysicalActivity "PhysicalActivity")

The anatomy of the underlying organ system or structures associated with this entity.

[sensoryUnit](https://schema.org/sensoryUnit "sensoryUnit")

[Nerve](https://schema.org/Nerve "Nerve")

The neurological pathway extension that inputs and sends information to the brain or spinal cord.