Anatomical Terminology and Foundations of Human Movement

Module Overview: Anatomical Basis for Human Movement

Introduction

This module introduces the foundational concepts of anatomy and physiology as they relate to human movement. It covers anatomical terminology, structural organization, tissue types, and the movements allowed by synovial joints. The content is based on textbook readings from Marieb, 9th edition, and is essential for understanding the anatomical basis of movement in the human body.

Textbook Readings

• Chapter 1: The Human Body – An Orientation

  • 1.1 An Overview of Anatomy

  • 1.2 Gross Anatomy: An Introduction

• Chapter 4: Tissues

  • 4.1 Epithelial Tissue

  • 4.2 Connective Tissue

  • 4.3 Muscle Tissue

  • 4.4 Nervous Tissue

• Chapter 9: Joints

  • 9.4b Movements Allowed by Synovial Joints

Course Housekeeping & Reminders

• Practical Spotter Tests: Completion of Practicals 1-16 is compulsory to pass the course.

• Revision Material: Pracs are not recorded, but revision material will be available in subsequent practicals.

• Padlet Q&A: Use the ANAT1005 “ADMIN” Padlet for questions before emailing staff.

• Student Enquiries: For attendance, enrollment, and assessment issues, contact SBMS SAA Student Enquiries at [e-mail].

• Inductions: Complete online and face-to-face GAF inductions before attending practicals. Bring PPE and Student ID.

Learning Objectives

• Anatomical Organisation: Identify the levels of structural organization in the human body.

• Anatomical Organ Systems: Recognize the various organ systems studied in systemic anatomy.

• Tissues: Describe the four major tissue types and their locations in the human body.

• Anatomical Terminology & Concepts: Use anatomical terminology to accurately describe:

  • Anatomical Position

  • Anatomical Regions

  • Orientations & Directions

  • Planes & Axes

  • Body Movements

Main Topics

Anatomical Organisation

The human body is organized into hierarchical levels, each with increasing complexity. Understanding these levels is essential for studying anatomy and physiology.

• Chemical Level: Atoms and molecules form the basis of all matter.

• Cellular Level: Cells are the basic structural and functional units of life.

• Tissue Level: Groups of similar cells performing a common function.

• Organ Level: Structures composed of two or more tissue types working together.

• Organ System Level: Groups of organs that perform related functions.

• Organism Level: The complete living being.

Anatomical Organ Systems

Systemic anatomy studies the body by organ systems, each with specific functions essential for life and movement.

• Muscular System: Responsible for movement and stability.

• Skeletal System: Provides support, protection, and enables movement.

• Nervous System: Controls and coordinates body activities.

• Other Systems: Includes cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, etc.

Tissues of the Human Body

Tissues are groups of cells with similar structure and function. There are four major tissue types in the human body.

• Epithelial Tissue: Covers body surfaces, lines cavities, and forms glands.

  • Functions: Protection, secretion, absorption, filtration, diffusion, sensory reception.

  • Examples: Skin epithelium, lining of the stomach, glandular tissue.

• Connective Tissue: Supports, binds, and protects organs.

  • Types: Loose connective tissue, dense connective tissue, bone, cartilage, blood.

  • Functions: Support, storage, transport, defense.

• Muscle Tissue: Responsible for movement through contraction.

  • Types: Skeletal muscle (voluntary movement), cardiac muscle (heart), smooth muscle (walls of hollow organs).

• Nervous Tissue: Enables rapid communication and coordination.

  • Components: Neurons (signal transmission), neuroglia (support and protection).

Anatomical Terminology & Concepts

Accurate anatomical terminology is essential for describing locations, orientations, and movements in the human body.

• Anatomical Position: The standard reference position for the body: standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward.

• Anatomical Regions: Specific areas of the body used for reference (e.g., thoracic, abdominal, pelvic).

• Orientations & Directions: Terms such as superior/inferior, anterior/posterior, medial/lateral, proximal/distal.

• Planes & Axes: Imaginary lines used to divide the body and describe movement.

  • Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right parts.

  • Coronal (Frontal) Plane: Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

  • Transverse Plane: Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

• Body Movements: Movements occur in specific planes around axes (e.g., flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, rotation).

Table: Major Tissue Types and Their Functions

Tissue Type	Main Function	Location/Example
Epithelial	Protection, secretion, absorption	Skin, lining of GI tract, glands
Connective	Support, binding, transport	Bone, cartilage, blood, fat
Muscle	Movement	Skeletal muscles, heart, walls of organs
Nervous	Communication, coordination	Brain, spinal cord, nerves

Key Definitions

• Anatomy: The study of the structure of the body.

• Physiology: The study of the function of body parts.

• Histology: The study of tissues at the microscopic level.

• Gross Anatomy: The study of structures visible to the naked eye.

• Systemic Anatomy: Study of body systems.

• Developmental Anatomy: Study of structural changes throughout the lifespan.

Examples of Body Movements

• Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two body parts (e.g., bending the elbow).

• Extension: Increasing the angle between two body parts (e.g., straightening the knee).

• Abduction: Moving a limb away from the midline (e.g., raising the arm sideways).

• Adduction: Moving a limb toward the midline.

• Rotation: Movement around an axis (e.g., turning the head).

Additional info:

• Students are expected to use anatomical terminology in practical and written assessments.

• Understanding tissue types and their functions is foundational for later modules on organ systems and movement.