Core Anatomy

Question 1

Anatomical position

Answer 1

The anatomical position is standing upright with the feet and palms facing forward.

Question 2

Location indicators

Answer 2

Anterior
At the front of the body, where the navel/belly is.

Posterior
At the back of the body, where the spinal column can be seen.

Superior
Always higher, as compared to another location.

Inferior
Always lower, as compared to another location.

Proximal
Closer to the center point of the of the body (think heart or navel) in relation to another location.

Distal
Further from the center point of the body in relation to another location.

Medial
In the direction of the midline of the body (which runs in line with the spinal column) or closer to the midline in relation to another location.

Lateral
Away from the midline of the body or further away from the midline in relation to another location.

Unilateral
one-sided

Bilateral
two-sided

Question 3

Role of muscles

Answer 3

1. Agonists
   Agonists are the primary muscles responsible for initiating a particular movement. When a muscle contracts to perform a movement, it is the agonist.

2.Antagonists are muscles that work in opposition to the agonists. They are responsible for producing the opposite movement. When the agonist contracts to perform a movement, the antagonist must relax to allow that movement to occur.

3. Synergists
   Synergists are muscles that work together with the agonists to support a particular movement. They assist the agonists by providing extra force or stability during the movement. Synergists also reduce unwanted movements from other muscles. They are essential for performing movements smoothly and efficiently.

Question 4

Spine parts

Answer 4

Cervical (neck)
Thoracic (ribcage)
Lumbar (lower back)
Sacral (sacrum)
Coccygeal (tailbone)

Question 5

The Spinal Column

Answer 5

The spinal column, also known as the spine, backbone or columna vertebralis, consists of 33 or 34 vertebrae, with an intervertebral disc between each pair of vertebrae (except between the atlas and axis).

Question 6

Spine curvatures

Answer 6

The neutral spine of a human has a double S-shape.

Hyperlordosis (too much extension/arch in the lower back)

Hyperkyphosis (too much flexion/rounding in the upper back)

Scoliosis (rotation in the spine, where vertebrae have a lateral curvature and/or are twisted along the longitudinal axis)

Question 7

Pelvis and tilts

Answer 7

At the back, the pelvis is connected to the sacrum and coccyx, the lowest part of the spine. As such, the pelvis cannot move independent of the lumbar spine.

Tilting the pelvis forward is referred to as anterior pelvic tilt. hyperextension (arched lower back).
The erector spinae (long back muscle, mainly in the lower back), rectus femoris (thigh muscle) and iliopsoas (hip flexor) shorten while the rectus abdominis (abdominal muscles) lengthens.

In a posterior pelvic tilt, the pelvis tilts backward, causing the rectus abdominis, external obliques, gluteal muscles and hamstrings to shorten.

Question 8

The core muscles

Answer 8

Rectus abdominis
External and internal obliques
Transversus abdominis
Diaphragm
Pelvic floor
Erector spinae
Quadratus lumborum
Iliopsoas (iliacus en psoas major)
Thoracolumbar fascia