Introduction to Functional Anatomy – Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering directional terms, planes, axes, motions, tissue types, and key structural concepts introduced in the lecture "Introduction to Functional Anatomy."

Anatomy

Study of the location of all body structures (bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves, vessels, fascia, lymphatics) – the base of expertise in human movement.

Functional Anatomy

Focuses on what movements muscles or muscle groups produce; essential for osteopathic diagnosis and treatment.

Four Tenets of Osteopathic Medicine

Body unity, self-regulation, structure–function interrelationship, and rational treatment based on these principles.

Anatomical Position

Standard reference stance: standing upright, feet together, arms at sides, palms facing forward, head and eyes forward.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body in anatomical position.

Posterior (Dorsal)

Toward the back of the body in anatomical position.

Medial

Closer to the midline of the body.

Lateral

Farther from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Nearer to the trunk or point of origin.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or point of origin.

Superior (Cranial, Cephalad)

Toward the head.

Inferior (Caudal)

Toward the feet or lower end of the spine.

Superficial

Nearer to the surface of the body.

Deep

Farther from the surface of the body.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body.

Volar

Relating to the palm of the hand or sole of the foot.

Axial Region

Head, neck, rib cage, and vertebral column – the body’s main axis.

Appendicular Region

Limbs and girdles (shoulder, pelvic) attaching them to the axial skeleton.

Supine Position

Lying horizontally face-up.

Prone Position

Lying horizontally face-down.

Sidelying Position

Lying on either left or right side; named for side touching the table.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane dividing body into left and right portions; motions occur around a transverse axis.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Vertical plane dividing body into anterior and posterior portions; motions occur around an anteroposterior axis.

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Plane dividing body into superior and inferior portions; motions occur around a vertical axis.

Transverse Axis

Left-right axis perpendicular to the sagittal plane; permits flexion/extension.

Anteroposterior Axis

Front-back axis perpendicular to the frontal plane; permits abduction/adduction and side-bending.

Vertical (Craniocaudal) Axis

Top-bottom axis perpendicular to the transverse plane; permits rotation.

Flexion

Decreasing the angle between two articulating bones (bending).

Extension

Increasing the angle between two articulating bones (straightening).

Abduction

Movement away from the body’s midline within the frontal plane.

Adduction

Movement toward the body’s midline within the frontal plane.

Inversion

Lifting the medial border of the foot (sole turns inward).

Eversion

Lifting the lateral border of the foot (sole turns outward).

Internal (Medial) Rotation

Turning a limb toward the midline around its long axis.

External (Lateral) Rotation

Turning a limb away from the midline around its long axis.

Pronation

Rotating the forearm so the palm faces posteriorly from anatomical position.

Supination

Rotating the forearm so the palm faces anteriorly from anatomical position.

Circumduction

Circular cone-shaped motion combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Protraction

Anterior movement of a scapula, mandible, or clavicle (e.g., rounding shoulders).

Retraction

Posterior movement of a scapula, mandible, or clavicle (e.g., pulling shoulders back).

Elevation

Superior movement of a body part (e.g., shrugging shoulders).

Depression

Inferior movement of a body part (e.g., lowering shoulders).

Muscle Tissue (Skeletal)

Voluntary, striated tissue whose shortening creates movement; fibers arranged in distinct directions.

Myofibril

Contractile protein structure inside muscle fibers that shortens to generate force.

Origin (Muscle)

Fixed, usually proximal attachment point of a muscle.

Insertion (Muscle)

Movable, usually distal attachment point of a muscle; pulled toward the origin during contraction.

Tendon

Dense connective tissue attaching muscle to bone; strong, less elastic than muscle.

Bone

Rigid connective tissue made of collagen and mineral salts; provides levers, protection, and hematopoiesis.

Periosteum

Dense connective tissue membrane covering the outer surface of bones.

Osteoblast

Bone-building cell that deposits new bone matrix.

Long Bone

Bone with a shaft and expanded ends (e.g., femur); designed for leverage.

Short Bone

Cube-shaped bone allowing fine gliding motions (e.g., carpals).

Flat Bone

Thin, broad bone providing protection and muscle attachment (e.g., sternum, ilium).

Irregular Bone

Complex-shaped bone such as vertebrae or facial bones.

Sesamoid Bone

Bone embedded in a tendon enhancing leverage (e.g., patella).

Ligament

Dense connective tissue band tying bones to other bones; resists excessive joint motion.

Aponeurosis (Broad Tendon)

Flat sheet of dense connective tissue connecting muscles or muscles to bones along shafts.

Fascia

Connective tissue membrane enveloping and linking all body structures; transmits and disperses forces.

Superficial Fascia

Loose connective tissue layer beneath the skin storing fat and providing passageways for vessels.

Deep Fascia

Dense connective tissue network surrounding and separating muscles; aids movement and provides attachments.

Subserous Fascia

Dense connective tissue layer between deep fascia and serous membranes; allows organ mobility.

Cartilage

Avascular, flexible connective tissue; types include elastic, articular (hyaline), and fibrocartilage.

Fibrocartilage

Cartilage rich in collagen fibers; forms intervertebral discs and menisci, resisting compression and shear.

Bursae

Small synovial-fluid-filled sacs reducing friction between tendons and bone or skin.

Blood Vessels

Arteries, veins, and capillaries delivering nutrients and removing waste from tissues.

Lymphatic Vessels

Network that returns interstitial fluid to the bloodstream and houses immune cells in nodes.

Nerve

Cable-like bundle of axons transmitting sensory input and motor output between body and CNS.

Skin

Epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis forming protective barrier, regulating temperature, sensing environment.