LESSON 1: Muscular System

Anatomical Positions

are standard body orientations used in anatomy to describe the location of structures

• Body standing upright

• Head facing forward

• Arms at the sides

• Palms facing forward

• Feet flat on the floor and facing forward

Characteristics of Anatomical Positions:

Anatomical Directions

are standard terms used to describe the location of the body parts relative to each other when the body is in the anatomical position

Anterior

toward the front of the body

Posterior

toward the back of the body

Superior

toward the head or upper part of the body

Inferior

toward the feet or lower part of the body

Medial

toward the midline of the body

Distal

farther from the point of attachment or trunk

Supine

means the body is lying on the back ; commonly used for medical examinations

• face upward

• back touching the surface

• arms may be at the side or slightly away from the body

Characteristics of Supine Position:

Prone

means the body is lying face down ; this position is used in some medical treatments and physical therapy

• face toward the ground

• chest and abdomen touching the surface

• back facing upward

Characteristics of Prone Position:

Lateral position

means the body is lying on one side ; this position is commonly used in resting, recovery, and certain medical procedures

• right or left side touching the surface

• head supported by a pillow or arm

• legs may be slightly bent

Characteristics of Lateral Position:

Muscles

are bundles, sheets, or rings of tissue that produce movement by contracting and pulling on the structures to which they are attatched ; primary structure that comprises the muscular system

duct/o

to bring

extens/o

to stretch out

kinesi/o

movement

fibr/o

fibers

flex/o

to bend

fasci/o

fibrous band

my/o

muscle

plant/o

sole of foot

ten/o ; tendin/o ; tend/o

tendon

muscul/o ; myos/o

muscle

vers/o

to turn

ab-

away from

ad-

toward

circum-

around

e-

outward

-asthenia

weakness

-ion

action

-kinesia

movement

-tonia

tone

-trophic

pertaining to development