ORIENTATION/
MEANING
DIRECTION
Superior – above or towards the head
Example: The brain is superior to the heart.
Inferior – below or toward the lower part of the body
Example: The nose is inferior to the forehead.
Anterior – towards the front of the body
Example: Breasts are on the anterior surface.
Posterior – towards the back of the body
Example: Buttocks are on the posterior surface
Medial – at or nearer to the center plane; or in the inner side
of the body
Example: The mouth is medial to the ears.
Lateral – away from the center plane of the body
Example: The lungs lie lateral to the heart.
Proximal – nearer to the center of the body
Example: The hip is proximal to the knee.
Distal – farther the center of the body
Example: The foot is distal to the hip.
T T
Fig. 1 – Anatomic
Locations of Body
Regions
Anterior View Posterior View
When viewed externally, the whole body is divided into four (4)regions:
BODY REGIONS DESCRIPTION
1. Head and Neck Region The head houses the brain and major sense organs. It also forms
the framework of the face. The head is held upright by the
muscles and bones of the neck, which connects the head to the
trunk.
2. Trunk The trunk (or torso) forms the central part of the body and has
two sections: the thorax forms the upper trunk; from the neck to
the diaphragm and the abdomen which is the lower part of the
trunk.
3. Upper Extremities Each is divided into three regions: the arm, forearm and hand; the
hallow part just below the connection between the upper
extremity and the trunk is the axilla or armpit.
4. Lower Extremities Each is divided into thigh, leg and foot.
A. Body Positions
No matter what the position of the client, the therapist will describe the location of the
anatomical parts as if the client is always in anatomical position.
Anatomical position is described as:
body erect and facing forward
arms at the side
palms are facing forward with thumbs on the side
feet about a hip distance apart with toes pointing forward
The next illustrations are the various positions used in massage therapy, it is important for
massage therapists to recognize the different positionsand understand its rationale during the
massage in order to minimize, if not totally prevent or control, the possible injury to the client.
Fig. 2. Supine – a position of the body
lying down with face up
Fig. 3. Prone – a position of the body
lying down with face down
Fig. 4. Side-lying – a position
body lying on one side
B. Major Organ Systems
The human body has organ systems that work together in close coordination with one
another. Its functions include support and movement, transport system, integration and
coordination, absorption, excretion and reproduction.
TABLE 1. DIFFERENT BODY SYSTEMS, ORGANS and FUNCTIONS
SYSTEM ORGANS MAJOR SYSTEM
FUNCTION
1. Skeletal system Bones, joints, cartilage Shape and support body
and ligaments framework; protect vital
organs
2. Muscular Skeletal, smooth and Movement; produce heat
system cardiac muscle
3. Integumentary Skin, hair, nails, oil glands Protection
system and sweat glands
4. Circulatory Heart, blood and blood Distributes nutrients to the
system vessels body
5. Lymphatic Spleen, thymus, lymph Protects the body from
system nodes and tonsils disease
6. Nervous system Brain and spinal cord Regulatory and
communicating system
7. Respiratory Upper and lower Exchange of gases
system respiratory tract, lungs
and accessories
8. Digestive Alimentary canal and Digestion and absorption of
system accessory digestive organ food
9. Urinary system Kidneys, ureters, bladder Eliminates metabolic waste
and urethra
10. Endocrine Glands and hormones Release hormones
system
The skeleton provides a strong, internal framework that supports the body and protectssome
vital organs. These bones meet at joints, the majority of which are freely moveable, making the
skeleton flexible and mobile.
1. SKELETAL SYSTEM
The skeleton also contains cartilage and ligaments. Cartilage is a tough, flexible connective
tissue that forms the framework of the ear and nose, links the ribs to the sternum, and covers the
ends of bones inside the joints. Ligaments are strong strips of fibrous connective tissue that hold
bones together at joints, thereby stabilizing the skeleton during movement.
The nervous system coordinates with muscle movements. Without our skeleton, we would
not be able to stand and walk and move around. Many blood cells are formed in marrow found in
the central opening of certain bones.
Fig. 5. Skeletal System
SKELETAL SYSTEM
FUNCTION OF SKELETAL
1. Serve as framework for the body
2. Protect delicate organs such as brain, spinal cord lungs and eyes.
3. Serve as levers for the muscles to act upon to produce body movement
4. Stores calcium and phosphorous
5. Forms Red blood cells (erythrocytes) and platelets in the bone marrow
206 TOTAL BONES
DIVISION OF SKELETAL SYSTEM
AXIAL (80)
APPENDICULAR (126)
AXIAL SKELETON (80)
FORM THE VERTICAL AXIS OF THE BODY
O SKULL (BONES OF HEAD)
O VERTEBRAL COLUMN
O RIBS
O BREAST BONES (STERNUM)
APPENDICULAR SKELETON (126)
O UPPER EXTREMITIES
O LOWER EXTREMITIES
O PECTORAL AND PELVIC GIRDLES ATTACHMENT
AXIAL BONES 80 BONES
FUNCTION OF SKULL (29)
O BONY FRAMEWORK
O HOUSES AND PROTECT
O THE BRAINS
SKULL (29)
O CRANIAL BONES (8)
O FACIAL BONES (14)
O AUDITORY OSSICLES (6)
O HYOID (1)
ADULT VERTEBRAL COLUMN (26)
Cervical vertebrae (7)
Thoracic vertebrae (12)
Lumbar vertebrae (5)
Sacrum (1)