3- Posture

Question 1

Define the planes and axes of motion of the body

Answer 1

Axis: line that goes through the body, movement occurs around an axis

Plane - movement occurs within a plane

Question 2

What are the axii of the body and what motion goes around them?

Answer 2

• Inferior/Superior Axis (goes from head to toe): Motion = Rotation Right/Left
• Anterior/Posterior Axis (goes from front to back): Motion = Abduction/Adduction & Lateral Flexion/Sidebending
• Right/Left Axis: Motion = Flexion/Extension

Question 3

What are planes of the body and their motions?

Answer 3

• Sagittal (Right/Left Axis) –> Flexion/Extension
• Coronal (Anterior/Posterior Axis) –> Abduction/Adduction and Sidebending/Lateral Flexion
• Transverse (Superior/Anferior Axis) –> Rotation (occurs only here!)

Question 4

What is the relationship between Plane and Axis?

Answer 4

Plane and Axis are perpendicular of each other

Question 5

Define Cephalad as a directional descriptor.

Answer 5

toward the head

Question 6

Define Caudad as a directional descriptor.

Answer 6

toward the feet

Question 7

Define Ipsilateral as a directional descriptor.

Answer 7

Same side of the body

Question 8

Define Contralateral as a directional descriptor.

Answer 8

Opposite side of the body

Question 9

Define Bilateral as a directional descriptor.

Answer 9

both sides of the body

Question 10

Describe ideal standing position from the coronal/frontal plane.

Answer 10

arms hanging parallel along trunk w/ feet shoulder width apart

Question 11

Describe ideal standing position from the transverse plane.

Answer 11

shoulders medially(internally rotated 20 degrees) relative to anatomic position w/ legs rotated laterally (externally 20 degrees relative to anatomic position)

Question 12

Describe ideal standing position from the Saggittal plane.

Answer 12

consider plumb line relationships and propotions with feet positioned in anatomical positions

Question 13

What are the curves in the sagtital plane? Describe their curve and define them as either hypothic or lordotic.

Answer 13

• Cervical: Convex anteriorally (normal lordotic curve)
• Thoracic: Concave anteriorally (normal kyphotic curve)
• Lumbar: Convex anteriorally (normal lordotic curve)
• Sacral: Concave atneriorally (normal kyphotic curve)

Question 14

Where is the plumb line and body position in ideal posture?

Answer 14

Ideal posture will have the plumb line go through the ear, shoulder, hip, knee and ankle

Question 15

Where is the plumb line and body position in military posture?

Answer 15

Military posture extends forward with an increase in lumbar lordotic curves

Question 16

Where is the plumb line and body position in relaxed posture?

Answer 16

Relaxed posture has an increased lumbar lordosis, resulting in hip forward of the ideal plumb line.

Question 17

What is the ideal sleeping position?

Answer 17

Patient has a firm surface, laying on one side with head on pillow, knees flexed, and pillow between knees

Question 18

Describe ideal seated posture

Answer 18

W/ a firm cushion, legs parallel to floor and feet flat on floor

Question 19

What is accommodation?

Answer 19

Accommodation: a self-reversing, non-persisting adaptation (goes away automatically)

Question 20

What is compensation?

Answer 20

Compensation: a subconscious, non-painful change that is the result of the body’s trying to make the best of a less than ideal situation. Stays until the environment or habits changes.

Question 21

What is decompensation?

Answer 21

The breakdown of compensatory mechanism.

Question 22

List factors that produce decompensation to ideal posture.

Answer 22

• Congenital (natural deformities)
  ex. Hemivertebra (wedge shaped vertebrae), bone/joint deformity
• Body habitus change
  ex. weight gain/pregnancy
• Gait changes
  ex. Flat feet, wearing high heels.
• Habits
  ex. brought about by occupation, like straining neck to see computer
• Trauma
  ex. Herniated disc, acceleration-deceleration injury
• Somatic Dysfunction
  ex. sacral base unleveling
• Loss of muscle tone
  ex. Polio
• Mental attitude
  ex. depression