biomechanics 3
Page 1: Introduction to the Musculo-skeletal System
Contact Information
Dr Elena Seminati
Email: e.seminati@bath.ac.uk
Course Code: HL10522
Lecture Focus
Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics
Overview of Bones, Joints & Muscles
Anatomical Reference Position
Starting position for body movements:
Upright standing position
Facing forward
Legs together
Feet flat on the floor
Hands at the side
Palms facing forward
Page 2: Anatomical Reference Planes
Anatomical Reference Planes
Frontal (Coronal)
Transverse (Horizontal)
Sagittal (Median)
Cardinal Planes
Imaginary planes dividing the body in half by mass
Intersect at the body's center of mass
Fundamental Movements
Sagittal Plane Movement (Mediolateral Axis)
Flexion: Diminishing angle at the joint
Extension: Increasing angle at the joint
Page 3: Fundamental Movements Continued
Frontal Plane Movement (Anteroposterior Axis)
Abduction: Movement away from the midline
Adduction: Movement towards the midline
Transverse Plane Movement (Longitudinal Axis)
Rotation: Involves turning left or right (e.g., neck, trunk)
Page 4: Functions and Types of Bones and Joints
Today's Overview
Understanding bones' roles and organization
Processes of normal growth and maturation of bones
Categorizing joints by structure and movement capabilities
Functions of the Skeleton
Movement: Muscle attachment and leverage
Support: Provides shape
Protection: Safeguarding vital organs
Physiological Functions:
Calcium regulation
Endocrine regulation
Blood cell production (in bone marrow)
Page 5: Movements and Levers
Lever: Rigid object rotating about an axis due to applied force
Components:
Resistance (weight)
Effort (applied force)
Pivot (fulcrum)
Human Body as Lever Systems
Joints act as pivots, muscles as effort, and body parts as resistance
Page 6: Types of Lever Systems
Three Classes of Levers
1st Class Levers
2nd Class Levers
3rd Class Levers (most common in human body)
Page 7: Tissues of the Musculo-skeletal (MSK) System
Types of Tissues
Skeletal Tissue: Bone, cartilage
Muscular Tissue
Page 8: Bone Composition & Structure
Bone Composition
Organic: 35% (primarily type 1 collagen for elasticity)
Cells: osteoblasts, lining cells, osteocytes, osteoclasts
Inorganic: 65% (mineral content - hydroxyapatite for rigidity)
Page 9: Bone Structure
Long Bones
Consist of:
Diaphysis (shaft)
Two Epiphyses
Metaphysis (location of growth plate)
Types of Bones
Cancellous/Spongy/Trabecular Bone
20% of bone mass; reduces skeletal mass while maintaining strength
Compact/Cortical Bone
80% of bone mass; provides mechanical function
Page 10: Bone Growth & Development
Types of Growth
Longitudinal Growth: At epiphyseal plates, stops around 18-20 years
Circumferential/Radial Growth: Increases diameter throughout life
Bone Response to Stress
Wolff’s Law: Bone adapts to load changes
Page 11: Bone Remodelling Responses
Bone Remodelling: Interaction of osteocytes, osteoblasts, and osteoclasts in load response
Hypertrophy: Increase in bone mass with regular physical activity
Example: Tennis players showing muscular and bone hypertrophy in playing arm
Page 12: Bone Remodelling Responses Continued
Atrophy: Decrease in bone mass from osteoclast predominance
Seen in bedridden patients, sedentary elderly, and astronauts
Page 13: Skeletal System
Total Bones: 74 (excluding sesamoid)
Commonly referenced bones: 126
Page 14: Classification of Bones by Shape
Flat Bones: Thin and curved, serve as attachment points for muscles and protect organs
Short Bones: Cube-shaped, equal in dimensions, provide limited movement
Page 15: Continuing Bone Classifications
Long Bones: Cylinder-shaped; longer than wide, functions as levers
Irregular Bones: Complex shape; protect internal organs from compressive forces
Sesamoid Bones: Embedded within tendons to alleviate stress
Page 16: Joint Function
Function of Joints: Facilitate movement between bones and transmit force
Articular Surface: Contact point between two skeletal bones
Page 17: Types of Joints - Synarthroses
Synarthroses: Non-moving joints (e.g., skull sutures)
Functions: Shock absorption and force attenuation
Page 18: Types of Joints - Amphiarthrosis and Diarthroses
Amphiarthrosis: Slightly movable joints, permit limited motion
Diarthroses: Free-moving joints (synovial); categorized into various types
Gliding/Plane joints: Non-axial movements
Page 19: Types of Diarthroses
Hinge Joints: Allow uni-axial hinge-like movements
Pivot Joints: Allow uni-axial rotation around an axis
Page 20: More Diarthroses
Condyloid Joints: Bi-axial movement around two axes
Saddle Joints: Tri-axial movement and greater range of motion
Page 21: Ball and Socket Joints
Ball and Socket: Allow rotation around three axes
Joint Architecture:
Articular Cartilage: Reduces stress, friction, and wear
Page 22: Joint Architecture Continued
Articular Capsule: Surrounds every synovial joint
Synovial Membrane: Secretes synovial fluid
Joint Stability: Resists abnormal displacement; provided by bone shape, ligament arrangement, and connective tissues
Page 23: Lecture Summary
Covered Topics:
Role of the skeleton
Functions and types of bones
Functions and types of joints
Suggested Activities:
Read Chapter 2 of the ‘Biomechanical Basis of Human Movement’: Skeletal considerations for movement