Concise Kinesiology Notes

Reference Positions

• Anatomical position: Standing upright, feet parallel and close, palms forward.

• Fundamental position: Same as anatomical, but palms face the body.

Anatomical Directional Terminology

• Anterior: In front.

• Posterior: In back.

• Inferior (Infra): Below.

• Superior (Supra): Above.

• Distal: Away from the center.

• Proximal: Nearest to the trunk.

• Lateral: On the side.

• Medial: Toward the middle.

• Contralateral: Opposite side.

• Ipsilateral: Same side.

• Bilateral: Both sides.

• Deep: Beneath the surface.

• Superficial: Near the surface.

• Prone: Lying on stomach.

• Supine: Lying on back.

Body Regions

• Axial: Cephalic (Head), Cervical (Neck), Trunk (Thoracic and Lumbar).

• Appendicular: Upper and Lower limbs.

General Movements

• Flexion: Decreases angle. (\theta \downarrow)

• Extension: Increases angle. (\theta \uparrow)

• Abduction: Away from midline.

• Adduction: Toward midline.

• Circumduction: Circular movement (flexion, extension, abduction, adduction combined).

• Internal Rotation: Toward midline.

• External Rotation: Away from midline.

• Horizontal Abduction: Away from midline, parallel to ground.

• Horizontal Adduction: Toward midline, parallel to ground.

Specific Movements

• Ankle/Foot:

  • Inversion: Sole inward.

  • Eversion: Sole outward.

  • Plantar Flexion: Foot away from body.

  • Dorsiflexion: Foot toward tibia.

• Radioulnar Joint:

  • Pronation: Palm down.

  • Supination: Palm up.

• Shoulder Girdle:

  • Elevation: Superior movement.

  • Depression: Inferior movement.

  • Protraction: Forward movement (abduction of scapula).

  • Retraction: Backward movement (adduction of scapula).

  • Rotation Upward: Inferior angle laterally & upward.

  • Rotation Downward: Inferior angle medially & downward.

• Spine/Pelvis:

  • Lateral Flexion (Side Bending): Away from midline.

  • Reduction: Return from lateral flexion.

  • Anterior Pelvic Tilt: Iliac crest forward.

  • Posterior Pelvic Tilt: Iliac crest backward.

• Wrist/Hand:

  • Radial Flexion (Radial Deviation): Thumb side toward forearm.

  • Ulnar Flexion (Ulnar Deviation): Little finger side toward forearm.

  • Opposition of Thumb: Thumb across palm.

Osteology

• 206 Bones:

  • Axial: 80 bones.

  • Appendicular: 126 bones.

• Composition: Calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, collagen, water.

• Functions: Protection, support, movement, mineral storage, hemopoiesis.

Types of Bones

• Long bones: Levers (e.g., humerus, femur).

• Short bones: Shock absorption (e.g., carpals, tarsals).

• Flat bones: Protection, muscle attachment (e.g., skull, scapula).

• Irregular bones: Varying functions (e.g., pelvis, vertebrae).

• Sesamoid bones: Mechanical advantage (e.g., patella).

Typical Bony Features

• Diaphysis: Shaft.

• Cortex: Dense bone.

• Periosteum: Outer membrane.

• Endosteum: Inner membrane.

• Medullary Cavity: Marrow.

• Epiphysis: Ends of long bones (spongy bone).

• Epiphyseal Plate: Growth plate.

• Articular Cartilage: Cushioning, reduces friction.

Bone Growth & Properties

• Growth influenced by forces, bones remodel based on stress.

Bone Markings - Processes Forming Joints

• Condyle: Large, smooth, rounded projection.

• Facet: Small flat surface.

• Head: Rounded projection of epiphysis separated by a neck.

Bone Markings - Processes for Ligament/Muscle Attachment

• Crest: Narrow ridge.

• Epicondyle: Projection above condyle.

• Line: Ridge (less prominent than crest).

• Process: Any projection.

• Spine (Spinous Process): Sharp projection.

• Trochanter: Large roughened projection.

• Tubercle: Small rounded projection.

• Tuberosity: Roughened projection.

Bone Markings - Cavities

• Foramen: Hole for vessels/nerves.

• Fossa: Shallow depression.

• Sulcus (Groove): Narrow furrow.

• Notch: Depression in margin.

Arthrology - Joint Classification

• Articulation: Connection of bones.

• Structural: Fibrous, cartilaginous, synovial.

• Functional: Synarthrodial, amphiarthrodial, diarthrodial.

Synarthrodial Joints

• Immovable.

• Suture: Bony matrix between bones (e.g., skull sutures).

• Gomphosis: Peg and socket (e.g., teeth in mandible).

Amphiarthrodial Joints

• Slightly movable.

• Syndesmosis: Bones joined by strong ligament (e.g., distal tibiofibular).

• Synchondrosis: Bones separated by hyaline cartilage (e.g., costochondral joints).

• Symphysis: Bones separated by fibrocartilage pad (e.g., pubic symphysis).

Diarthrodial (Synovial) Joints

• Freely movable.

• Joint capsule, synovial fluid, ligaments.

• Articular cartilage.

• Degrees of freedom: Motion in planes (1, 2, or 3).

Types of Diarthrodial Joints

• Arthrodial (Gliding): Flat surfaces (e.g., carpals).

• Condyloid: Oval condyle in elliptical cavity, variety of movements, no rotation (e.g., metacarpophalangeal joints).

• Enarthrodial (Ball and Socket): Rounded head in concave surface, multiaxial (e.g., hip and shoulder).

• Sellar (Saddle): Reciprocally concave & convex surfaces, triaxial (e.g., 1st carpometacarpal joint).

• Trochoid (Pivot): Uniaxial, rotation (e.g., atlantoaxial joint).

• Ginglymus (Hinge): Uniaxial, one plane (e.g., elbow, knee).