PD/H/PE Preliminary Notes
Topic: The Body in Motion
The Skeletal System
Planes of the Body
* There are three planes of the body.
* Sagittal; this is an imaginary line drawn lengthwise through the body running from front the back. The body therefore is divided into right and left.
* Corronal or Frontal; an imaginary line drawn lengthwise through the body running from side to side, therefore divided into anterior and posterior.
* Transverse; an imaginary line drawn through the body, therefore dividing the body into top and bottom sections.
Anatomical Terms
* Superior; towards the head or above.
* Inferior; towards the feet or below.
* Anterior; front or in front of.
* Posterior; back or at the back of.
* Lateral; towards the side of the body or away from the midline.
* Medial; towards the midline of the body.
* Proximal; closer to the top of a limb.
* Distal; closer towards the bottom or end of a limb.
* Supine; lying face upwards.
Major Skeletal Bones
* Types of Bones
* Long; are hollow, tubular in shape and have a long shaft. E.g. femur and tibia.
* Short; are shaped like a cube and are almost equal is length and width. E.g. carpals and tarsals.
* Flat; generally thin and with a layer of spongy bone in their centre. E.g. scapula and pelvic girdle.
* Irregular; have complex structures and differ from others in the body. E.g. vertebral column.
* Sesamoid; classified according to location rather than shape, they are found in tendons. E.g. patella.
* Functions of the Skeletal System
* Support the organs and tissues of the body.
* Protection for internal organs.
* Base attachment for muscles; together they provide Movement.
* A source of production of red and white blood cells and blood platelets.
* Storage of minerals.
* Bones of the Human Skeleton
* Axial Skeleton; is made up of the bones that lie on the long axis of the body. This includes the cranium,...