B.1.1 Anatomical position, planes and movement

The Human Skeleton: Structure, Function, and Movement

The Axial and Appendicular Skeletons

Imagine standing tall like a tree. Your skeleton is the trunk, providing structure and support. But did you know that this "trunk" is divided into two main sections, each with unique responsibilities? These are the axial skeleton and the appendicular skeleton.

The axial skeleton forms the central framework of your body and includes:

• The skull, which protects your brain.
• The vertebral column, which houses your spinal cord and supports your posture.
• The rib cage, which shields vital organs like the heart and lungs.

The axial skeleton’s primary role is protection and support. It acts as a sturdy scaffold, ensuring your body stays upright and your most critical organs remain safeguarded.

In contrast, the appendicular skeleton is all about movement. It includes:

• The bones of your limbs(arms and legs).
• The shoulder girdle and pelvic girdle, which connect your limbs to the axial skeleton.

These bones function as levers, working with muscles to produce movements like walking, running, and lifting.

Positional Terminology: Navigating the Body:

• Superior: Toward the head (e.g., the head is superior to the chest).
• Inferior: Toward the feet (e.g., the stomach is inferior to the lungs).
• Anterior: Toward the front of the body (e.g., the chest is anterior to the spine).
• Posterior: Toward the back of the body (e.g., the spine is posterior to the heart).
• Medial: Closer to the midline of the body (e.g., the nose is medial to the ears).
• Lateral: Farther from the midline (e.g., the arms are lateral to the chest).
• Proximal: Closer to the point of attachment (e.g., the shoulder is proximal to the hand).
• Distal: Farther from the point of attachment (e.g., the fingers are distal to the elbow).

Planes and Axes of Movement

Have you ever considered how your body moves in different directions so fluidly? Whether you're running, twisting, or jumping, these movements occur in specific planes and around defined axes. Understanding these concepts is crucial in biomechanics and sports performance.

Planes of Movement

1. Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right halves. Movements in this plane include flexion and extension (e.g., kicking a soccer ball or performing a bicep curl).
2. Frontal Plane: Divides the body into front and back halves. Movements include abduction and adduction (e.g., performing a jumping jack or lateral arm raises).
3. Transverse Plane: Divides the body into top and bottom halves. Movements include rotation (e.g., swinging a golf club or performing a torso twist).

Axes of Rotation