The pelvic girdle is one of the most complex anatomical structures in the body. It also serves to protect the vital organs within the chest. The thoracic cage or 'rib cage' provides the rigidity of the chest, which is vital to the expansion and contraction of the lungs, making the rib cage vital to the respiratory system. Like the skull, it protects the spinal cord and provides attachment points for both muscles and ribs.

The spine is made of multiple interlocking vertebrae with a central channel for the spinal cord and exit points for the nerves. They also create the structure of the face and mouth with many attachments for the muscles that allow for all head movement. The skull consists of multiple flat bones that interlock and form a protective space for the brain. These structures are the skull, spine, thoracic cage, pelvic girdle, and limbs. The anatomy of the musculoskeletal system is based on the larger structures that the bones and muscles create. However, understanding the general structure of how the bones and muscles are arranged (spine, skull, ribcage, limbs, etc.) is important, as this will allow for a better understanding of the effects of trauma and medical conditions. For the national registry exams and EMS practice, memorizing each structure's exact positions and roles is unimportant. The anatomy of the musculoskeletal system is complex due to the large number of muscles and bones. The musculoskeletal system provides structure to the body, allows for movement, and physically protects the body's other systems. Anatomy focuses on the physical arrangement of parts in the body, while physiology studies the inner functioning of cells, tissues, and organs. This section will review the body's major systems: the musculoskeletal system, the circulatory system, the nervous system, the digestive system, the respiratory system, and the integumentary system. The Digestive System The Respiratory System The Integumentary SystemĪnatomy and physiology is the study of the body's systems and structures and how they interact. Overall, this is a low-cost option that provides a detailed anatomy companion for all physical therapists, and you will enjoy using this regularly.Įmily Monson, PT, is an Impact editorial board member and owner of Clear Lake Physical Therapy & Rehab Specialists.The Musculoskeletal System The Circulatory System The Nervous System It also enhances the patient-provider interaction through additional questions suggested regarding associated systems, referral pain patterns, and joint kinematics, which is an excellent teaching tool for patients’ best understanding at their first physical therapy visit. Explaining the intimate connection of neurologic systems with musculoskeletal details or bony landmarks can be challenging in 2-D, and this app allows that with ease. Both of these add-ons have animated models, which make for even more ways to view the systems.Īs a physical therapist, I find this app most helpful because it allows me to easily explain a diagnosis or postoperative condition through the ability to “peel away” parts of the anatomy, move the position of the model to show several angles of the associated anatomy, and implement several systems at one time. These add-ons include Muscle System Plus, which allows you to explore muscle origins, insertion points, and blood flow, as well as Skeletal System Plus.

The app is under one dollar, which is very reasonable for the amount of information available and numerous ways it allows you to explore the human anatomy. You can also bookmark certain models you create and personalize to make it easier to return to certain patients or conditions. I find that this app is helpful especially when learning more about a patient’s surgery or condition, as it shows specific details. Also, through the zoom in and out and drag and drop features, you can set up a model to view from a specific desired angle. You can fade layers as needed, making the 3-D model realistic by allowing you to see in even more detail. You can turn on as many as seven layers of systems at a time, which is useful for seeing how parts and systems interact and work together. With simple on and off buttons for each body system, you can pinpoint the exact part you want to see. It is interactive and easy to use, and is the perfect app to have at your fingertips when at the clinic. The Essential Anatomy app is the perfect tool to replace your 2-D model. A valuable 3-D anatomical model at your fingertips.

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