1. Basic Anatomy of Musculoskeletal System
Massage A
Tutor: Eleshia Howell

2. Aim...
To provide a basic overview of the muscles, bones and soft tissue of the body, so you can become familiar with their names and their function(s).
A&P class will cover in more depth, as will Massage B in second semester.
Tip: the more you study them, the easier it will become over the next few months to piece your knowledge together!

3. Skeletal system Bones Cartilage Joints Ligaments
The 206 bones of the skeleton are divided into two sections –
Axial skeleton, which contains the skull, vertebral column (spine), sternum and ribs.
Appendicular Skeleton, containing the shoulder girdle, pelvic girdle, upper limbs and lower limbs.
Skeletal system

4. Function of Skeletal system
Enables movement
Provides protection for organs and internal structures
Produces blood cells (in bone marrow)
Stores minerals, eg calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium
Provides attachment for muscles (important for massage therapists for palpation and assessment purposes)

5. Joints Also known as arthroses
Various types, depending on the action of the joint
Where two or more bones connect, is called an articulation.
Ligaments connect bone to bone, to form a joint
Allow range of motion (ROM) or movement and flexibility.

6. Cartilage
Is avascular (no blood supply), tough, protective tissue capable of withstanding repeated stress
Found mainly in the chest, joints and certain rigid tubes of the body (eg larynx, trachea, nose, ears) to provide a supported passageway.
Most common form of cartilage is that which is found at the ends of bones to provide a smooth surface for movement.
The discs between vertebrae and also between the pubic bone are forms of cartilage, as are the external structures of the ears and nose.

7. Muscles are extremely elastic, very vascular and have the unique ability to contract and stretch to provide movement.
There are 3 main types:
Smooth (involuntary)
Cardiac
Skeletal (voluntary)
The Muscular system comprises of –
Skeletal muscles
Related fascia
Tendons – attach muscle to bone
Muscles

8. Function of Muscles
Motion (the body moving its parts) and Locomotion (the body moving as a whole)
Motility – when the smooth muscles of internal organs produce movement.
Heat production – assisting metabolism and homeostasis
Maintaining posture and joint stability
There are approx 640 skeletal muscles in the
human body!

9. Terminology in relation to muscles...
ORIGIN: the attachment of the muscle to the least movable bone. Usually located on the medial or proximal aspect.
INSERTION: the attachment of the muscle at the most movable bone site, often on the distal or lateral aspect.
ACTION: what movement(s) the muscle performs, eg flexion, extension, rotation.
INNERVATION: the nerve supply for that muscle

10. Anatomical Landmarks

11. Anatomical Position:
For medical reference purposes the parts of the human body are described in relation to other parts of the body using a standard body position, known as the Anatomical position.
The body is erect and facing forward, the arms are at the side of the body with palms facing forward and the feet are placed about hip distance apart, with toes facing forward.
Physical observation / assessment are based on this standard position.

12. Planes of the body
Our bodies are 3-Dimensional and are likewise referred to in specific sections, or planes.

13. Sagittal (or Median) Plane: runs vertically down the body, from front to back. Cuts the body into left and right sides.
Coronal (or Frontal) Plane: passes vertically through the body from side to side, creating front and back.
Transverse (or Horizontal) Plane: passes horizontally through the body, creating upper and lower sections.

14. Body Cavities

15. Quadrants / Regions

16. Directional References
Anterior (Ventral) – front
Posterior (Dorsal) – back
Medial – toward or near the midline of the body
Lateral – to the side or away from midline
Superior – above, or toward the head
Inferior – below, or toward the feet
Proximal – nearer to the point of reference
Distal – further from the point of reference

17. Homolateral (Ipsilateral) – related to the same side of the body
Contralateral – related to the opposite side of the body
Superficial (Peripheral) – the outside surface, or surrounding area
Central (Deep) – situated at the centre of the body or structure
Internal – within or inside
External – outside or outer surface.

18. Action Terminology
Flexion – to bend or decrease the angle of a joint. Either forward or lateral.
Extension – to straighten or increase the angle of a joint. Hyperextension is going beyond anatomical position.
Abduction – movement away from the midline
Adduction – movement towards the midline
Supination – lateral (outward) rotation of the forearm (palms up...soup bowl!)

19. Action Terminology
Pronation – medial (inward) rotation of the forearm (palms down)
Plantarflexion – extension of the ankle so that toes are pointing downward
Dorsiflexion – flexing the ankle to that toes are pulled back towards shin.
Inversion – turning the sole of the foot inward
Eversion – turning the sole of the foot outward

20. Action Terminology
Rotation – circular movement when a bone moves around its own axis.
Circumduction – when the distal end moves in a circle and proximal end remains relatively fixed (shoulder, hip, digits)
Elevation – raising or lifting a body part, moving superiorly
Depression – lowering or dropping a body part, moving inferiorly

21. Action Terminology Protraction – moving forward, or anteriorly
Retraction – moving backward, or posteriorly
Opposition – when thumb moves toward any other digit on same hand.
Lateral deviation – side-to-side movement (usually in reference to jaw)
***