Kinesiology

Kinesiology

The study of human movement.

Anatomic kinesiology

The study of the musculoskeletal system and how it produces human movement.

Biomechanics

The application of mechanical principles to human movement.

Anterior

In front of, or toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Behind, or toward the back of the body.

Superior

Above or higher than another structure.

Inferior

Below or lower than another structure; also called caudal.

Lateral

Away from the body's midline; toward the outside.

Medial

Toward or closer to the body's midline.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk or point of origin.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or point of origin.

Superficial

Near or closer to the body's surface.

Deep

Farther beneath the body's surface.

Anterolateral

In front and toward the outside.

Anteromedial

In front and toward the midline.

Anteroinferior

In front and below.

Anterosuperior

In front and above.

Posteroinferior

Behind and below.

Posterolateral

Behind and toward the outside.

Inferolateral

Below and toward the outside.

Inferomedial

Below and toward the midline.

Superolateral

Above and toward the outside.

Superomedial

Above and toward the midline.

Anteroposterior

Relating to both the front and back of the body.

Ipsilateral

Located on the same side of the body.

Contralateral

Located on the opposite side of the body.

Bilateral

Relating to both the right and left sides of the body.

Prone position

Lying face down on the stomach.

Supine position

Lying face up on the back.

Ventral

Relating to the belly or front surface of the body.

Dorsal

Relating to the back or posterior surface of the body.

Palmar

Relating to the palm of the hand.

Plantar

Relating to the sole or underside of the foot.

Primary functions of the skeletal system

Support, protection, movement, mineral storage, and blood-cell production.

Skeletal system's role in movement

Bones provide attachment points for muscles and act as levers.

Minerals primarily stored in bones

Calcium and phosphorus.

Hemopoiesis

The production of blood cells in red bone marrow.

Primary sites of hemopoiesis in adults

Areas such as the pelvis, vertebrae, ribs, sternum, skull, and the proximal ends of the femur and humerus.

Long bones

Bones that are longer than they are wide, such as the humerus, femur, and fibula.

Short bones

Roughly cube-shaped bones, such as the carpals and tarsals.

Flat bones

Thin bones that commonly protect organs and provide muscle attachment, such as the skull, scapula, ribs, and sternum.

Irregular bones

Bones with complex shapes, such as the vertebrae, pelvis, ethmoid bone, and ear ossicles.

Sesamoid bones

Bones that develop within tendons, with the patella being the largest example.