Functional Anatomy for Occupational Therapy

Anatomical Terminology

  • The language of anatomy is crucial for communicating within the healthcare field.

  • Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) interact with various professionals and must understand anatomical terms for effective communication.

  • Clear communication is vital for optimizing patient care.

Understanding Anatomy through Orientation

  • The perspective from which anatomy is viewed is important, starting from the anatomical position:

    • Human body stands upright, feet slightly apart, head facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward.

  • Anatomical terms include:

    • Dorsal: Back side; e.g., dorsal aspect of the hand shows the opposite side of the palm.

    • Anterior/Volar: Front side; e.g., volar aspect of the hand refers to the palm.

    • Medial: Closer to midline; Lateral: Farther from midline.

    • Proximal: Closer to trunk; Distal: Farther from the trunk.

    • Superior: Above; Inferior: Below.

    • Cranial: Towards the skull; Caudal: Towards the tail.

    • Ipsilateral: Same side; Contralateral: Opposite side.

Functional Anatomy in Occupational Therapy

  • Occupations: Everyday activities giving meaning to life, involving:

    • Motor Skills: Actions like reaching, stabilizing, manipulating, walking.

    • Process Skills: Cognitive skills necessary for planning and executing tasks.

    • Social Interaction Skills: Engaging with others through communication and interaction.

  • Understanding the musculoskeletal structures is crucial for a holistic view of how movement occurs.

  • Purposeful Movement: Defined as movement leading to an intended outcome, emphasizing volitional actions.

Motor Performance Skills

  • Functional Mobility: Moving from one postural position to another;

    • E.g., changing positions in bed, transferring to different surfaces, wheelchair use, walking.

  • Analysis of performance patterns reveals habits and routines which impact occupational performance.

  • Reductionism: Practitioners should avoid focusing solely on one aspect of performance; instead, understand the broader context.

Anatomical Terminology and Musculoskeletal Understanding

  • The musculoskeletal system terminology is essential for therapy practice:

    • Origin: Fixed point of muscle attachment (typically proximal).

    • Insertion: Movable point of muscle attachment (typically distal).

    • Palpation: Clinical skill to assess underlying anatomical structures through touch.

  • Surface Anatomy: Features visible or palpable on the body surface.

Kinesiology and Movement

  • Kinesiology: Study of movement and mechanics related to human anatomy.

  • Planes of Motion:

    • Sagittal Plane: Divides body into right/left; flexion & extension occur.

    • Frontal Plane: Divides body into anterior/posterior; abduction & adduction occur.

    • Transverse Plane: Divides body into superior/inferior; rotational movements occur.

  • Axes of Motion:

    • Frontal Axis: Medial to lateral;

    • Sagittal Axis: Anterior to posterior;

    • Vertical Axis: Inferior to superior.

Kinetic Chains

  • Kinetic Chain: Interaction of joints during movement, classified into:

    • Closed-chain movements: Distal segment remains fixed (e.g., squatting).

    • Open-chain movements: Distal segment moves freely in space (e.g., kicking).

Principles of Physics in Movement

  • Force: Push/Pull acting on the body; includes:

    • Tensile Force: Pulling force by muscles through tendons.

    • Compressive Force: Pushing force in structures like spine.

  • Moment: Turning effect of force, related to torque at joints.

  • Resistance and Effort: Concepts used when lifting or moving objects.

Biomechanical Properties of Tissues

  • Mechanical Advantage: Ratio of moment arms; longer moment arm leads to increased leverage.

  • Stress and Strain: Describes response to applied forces; tissues can exhibit elastic or plastic deformation.

Musculoskeletal Structures

  • Bone: Composed mostly of collagen and hydroxyapatite; supports and facilitates movement.

  • Ligaments: Connect bones; provide stability.

  • Tendons: Connect muscles to bones; relay force for joint movement.

Muscles of the Spine and Trunk

  • Erector Spinae: Supports trunk extension and equilibrium (composed of iliocostalis, longissimus, spinalis).

  • Transversospinalis Group: Stabilizes vertebrae (composed of multifidi, rotatores, semispinalis).

  • Abdominal Muscles: Counterbalance to back muscles; aids in trunk flexion and stabilization (includes rectus, external oblique, internal oblique).

  • Diaphragm: Essential for respiration, separates thoracic from abdominal cavities.

Head and Neck Anatomy

  • Skull: Comprised of the neurocranium (dome of the skull) and viscerocranium (face).

  • Mandible: U-shaped bone critical for functions such as speaking and chewing.

  • Larynx and Hyoid Bone: Support functions like swallowing and speech.

Muscles of Mastication and Swallowing

  • Muscles for Chewing: Include masseter, temporalis, medial/lateral pterygoids.

  • Muscles for Swallowing: Suprahyoids (like digastric) elevate the hyoid; infrahyoids depress it during swallowing.

Functional Movements and Occupational Implications

  • Purposeful Movements: Integral in daily activities such as feeding, eating, and communication.

  • Rehabilitation: Knowledge of anatomy is essential for developing interventions in occupational therapy practices.