PSK4U
Introductory Kinesiology
Unit 3: Anatomy
Activity 1: Anatomical Position
Food for Thought
Sometimes thinking outside the box allows for different perspectives. Here is a learning tool used to explain axis of rotation and planes of movement using a marshmallow. As you watched the video, what did you notice about the other 2 toothpicks as the marshmallow spun around one?
A Slice of Life
The term anatomy, is derived from the Greek word meaning "to cut up, cut open" or "to dissect".
Michiel van Mierevelt [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Early anatomical research was rooted in what today may seem to be somewhat barbaric practices, and yet also was reflected in pieces of incredible art. Leonardo da Vinci, an Italian scientist, architect, sculptor, mathematician, and considered one of the greatest painters of all time, was always fascinated by the human body. He created an entire collection of anatomical drawings, the most famous of which is the "Vitruvian Man".
Leonardo da Vinci [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
As interest in anatomy grew so too did the demand for cadavers. An increase in the instances of body-snatching and even a rise in the number of murders was observed in order to acquire the "necessary" specimens. Finally, the Anatomy Act of 1832 provided for an adequate and legitimate supply of corpses for study. If it were not for this early curiosity of the pioneers in the medical field, our understanding of the human body would not be where it is today. With the advancements in technology, we are now pushing the boundaries of the human body, not only in performance but also in our ability to observe and research factors that influence our every movement.
Enrichment
You can read more about the Anatomy Act of 1832.
Did You Know?
This desire to understand the body led to the work of Henry Gray. Does that last name sound familiar? First published in 1855 and entitled "Gray’s Anatomy of the Human Body", this was a collection of hand written and drawn medical notes and diagrams of anatomy for travelling doctors. Anatomy students even today are still learning from the original, which is regularly updated.
By Henry Vandyke Carter - Henry Gray (1918)
Anatomy of the Human Body Gray's Anatomy, Plate 190, Public Domain
My Very Own Gray’s Anatomy
1. Correct Positions
In the same way that maps of the world are universally oriented in the North-South-East-West position, anatomists and physiologists must look at the human body from a standard starting point. This position is know as the "Anatomical Position" and is used when referring to positions on the human body.
2. Talk the Talk
Using correct anatomical terminology is key to successfully comprehending the language of anatomy. Here is a glossary of terms to help you with your "anatomical literacy". Can you notice anything about the groupings in the terms?
Remember all definitions are based on the ANATOMICAL POSITION
Anterior – to the front or in front, e.g. your nose is anterior to your ears.
Posterior – to the rear or behind, e.g. your ears are posterior to your nose.
Superior (cephalic) – above, e.g. the head is superior to the trunk.
Inferior (caudal) – below, e.g. the knee is inferior to the hip.
Lateral – away from the median plane or midline, e.g. the little toe lies lateral to the big toe.
Medial – towards the median plane or midline, e.g. the little finger lies medial to the thumb.
Distal – away from the trunk or root of the limb, e.g. the foot is distal to the knee.
Proximal – close to the trunk or root of the limb, e.g. the wrist is proximal to the hand.
Superficial – close to the surface of the body or skin, e.g. the ribs are superficial with respect to the heart.
Deep – away from the body surface or skin, e.g. the heart is deep with respect to the rib cage.
Blausen gallery 2014. Wikiversity Journal of Medicine.
DOI:10.15347/wjm/2014.010. ISSN 20018762, via Wikimedia Commons
3. I Like to Move It…
Did you know that there are actual terms given to specific types of movement? When someone says "I am flexing my arm" and they actually straighten their arm they are using the wrong term.
Basic Movements:
a. Flexion and extension
Flexion and extension describe movements that affect the angle between two parts of the body.
Flexion describes a bending movement that decreases the angle between a segment and its proximal segment.
Extension is the opposite of flexion, describing a straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts.
By Connexions, via Wikimedia Commons
b. Abduction and adduction
Abduction and adduction refer to motions that move a structure away from or towards the centre of the body.
Abduction refers to a motion that pulls a structure or part away from the midline of the body.
Adduction refers to a motion that pulls a structure or part toward the midline of the body, or towards the midline of a limb.
By Connexions, via Wikimedia Commons
c. Elevation and depression
The terms elevation and depression refer to movement above and below the horizontal.
Elevation refers to movement in a superior (upward) direction.
Depression refers to movement in an inferior (downward) direction, the opposite of elevation.
Location Specific Movements:
a. Flexion and extension of the foot
Dorsiflexion occurs where the toes are brought closer to the shin. This decreases the angle between the dorsum of the foot and the leg. For example, when walking on the heels the ankle is described as being in dorsiflexion.
Plantar flexion is the movement which decreases the angle between the sole of the foot and the back of the leg. For example, the movement when depressing a car pedal or standing on the tiptoes can be described as plantar flexion.
By Connexions, via Wikimedia Commons
b. Pronation and supination
Pronation and supination refer to rotation of the forearm so that in the standard anatomical position the palm or sole is facing anteriorly (supination) or posteriorly (pronation).
Pronation at the forearm is a rotational movement where the hand and upper arm are turned inwards.
Supination of the forearm occurs when the forearm or palm are rotated outwards. Supination of the foot refers to turning of the sole of the foot inwards.
By Connexions, via Wikimedia Commons
c. Inversion and eversion
Inversion and eversion refer to movements that tilt the sole of the foot away from (eversion) or towards (inversion) the midline of the body.
Eversion is the movement of the sole of the foot away from the median plane.
Inversion is the movement of the sole towards the median plane. For example, inversion describes the motion when an ankle is twisted.
By Connexions, via Wikimedia Commons
4. Planes and Axis
Anatomical Planes: Anatomical planes relate to positions in space and are at right angles to one another.
Imagine you have to move your body in a certain way such as a jumping jack (abduction and adduction of the arms and legs) while lying down. How would your body be positioned on the floor, lying on your back, your side or standing up if you had to complete the movement without your arms and legs losing contact with the floor? Answer, you would have to lie on your back or front (it is the same) in order for your arms and legs to always remain in contact with the floor. The floor in this example is a plane of movement.
Transverse plane "divides" the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) segments.
Sagittal plane "divides" the body into medial and lateral segments, or left and right sides.
Frontal or coronal plane "divides" the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) segments.
When segments of the body move, there is a point along that segment that stays still and everything else rotates around. That point is called the "Anatomical Axis".
Anatomical Axes: Axes are used to describe how rotation of the body takes place.
Longitudinal or polar axis is in a "north-south" relationship to the anatomical position.
Horizontal or bilateral axis is in an "east-west" relationship to the anatomical position.
Antero-posterior axis is in a “front-to-back” relationship to the anatomical position.
Image from Slashme, via Wikimedia Commons
Image from Rhetth, via Wikimedia Commons
Here is a summary of Axis and Planes with examples for movement. The relationship between the axis of rotation and the plane is that the axis is always perpendicular to the plane and these pairings will never change.
| Axis of Rotation | Plane of Motion | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Horizontal (Bilateral) | Sagittal | Flexion, extension |
| Longitudinal (Polar) | Transverse | Rotation of extremities, axial rotation |
| Antero-Posterior (Sagittal Axis) | Coronal (Frontal) | Abduction, adduction |
The following video reviews the Anatomical Planes and Axes:
Complete the following interactive to review your understanding:
Assignment 1: It's All a Game
What connection(s) can you make between motion capture and what you have learned about anatomical planes and axis of rotation in the creation of video games?
To do this you will take a screen capture (or take a picture using a cell phone or camera) a specific moment in the video when the actor is performing a skill (e.g. the box jump).
You must then describe the movement using the correct anatomical terminology you have learned from Talk the Talk, Planes and Axis and I like to Move it.
Introduction
Learning Goals and Success Criteria
Learning Skills
Rubric 1