The head is complex, but functional. Like the rest of the body, the head consists of skin, bone, blood vessels and nerves. However, the head also contains most sensory organs, such as the nose, eyes, ears and mouth. These structures, along with...
Muscles are an essential part of motion and action in the lives of all human beings. Understanding the anatomical structure, function and adaptations related to muscles are paramount not only to our knowledge base, but also our deeper appreciation...
Billions of structures that fall into four major categories combine to make up the human body. The four basic parts of the human anatomy include tissue, cells, organs and systems. Life begins with a basic cell and continues to grow by forming new...
Before beginning a Pilates workout, you should have a general knowledge of the anatomy of the human body. Understanding basic anatomy will help Pilates give you the tone and energy you need to succeed in your training, according to PilatesMann.com.
Understanding how your bones, muscles, tendons and ligaments work together can help you prevent injuries while maximizing your athletic training. Since each part of your body depends upon and affects other areas, you will perform best when each...
Breathing can be a conscious or unconscious act. We can hold our breath or breathe deep even while the rest of our body is asleep. Without the respiratory system our body could not get the vital oxygen it needs to function. Lungs themselves are...
The torso and shoulder are comprised of a complex series of muscles that provide a vast amount of physical mobility. Your torso muscles help support your mid and lower back, and your shoulder muscles are designed to stabilize your arms while...
The elbow is critical to moving your arm, and elbow problems can have a serious impact on your life. According to Dr. Thomas Souza in his book "Differential Diagnosis and Management for the Chiropractor Protocols and Algorithms," the elbow is...
Ssciatica is a name given to pain felt in the back of the leg that radiates (travels) down the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is comprised of nerve fibers from L4, L5, S1, S2 and S3, according to "Anatomy of Human Movement: Structure and...
The quadriceps femoris, more commonly referred to as the quadriceps or quads, is a group of four muscles at the front of the thigh. Individually, the muscles are called the rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis, the vastus medialis and the vastus...
Blood vessels can be grouped into three categories: arteries, veins and capillaries. Arteries are the blood vessels that transfer blood away from the heart to the organs. They are the thickest of the blood vessels because they carry the blood...
The human body requires muscle contractions to complete many of the functions of everyday life. There are three types of muscle in the body: skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscle is found in the large muscles of the body and is...
The belly is made up of several muscles, including the transverse abdominus, which lies deep and runs sideways; the obliques, which flank the side of your abs -- and the rectus abdominus muscles, which create the holy grail of toned tummies: the...
Performing forearm exercises does not increase the size or bulk of the hands but may increase muscle bulk in the forearms. This is due to the anatomy of the forearm and the hand, which consists of extrinsic muscles that originate in the forearm...
The groin is the area where the lower abdomen and the legs meet. Pain in this area can be caused by a variety of sources. According to Medline Plus, groin pain can be caused by problems in the testicles in men, kidney stones, urinary tract...
Shoulder injuries can be very painful and can affect daily activities and quality of life. Shoulder injuries can occur with trauma or repetitive injury. According to the textbook "Orthopedic Physical Assessment," shoulder injuries are common...
Meralgia paresthetica is the term given to symptoms of a burning pain in the thigh. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NNDS, meralgia paresthetica is characterized by a numbness, burning, or tingling in the...
Your scalp is made of three layers that cover the top of your skull. Beneath your hair are layers of skin, connective tissue with blood vessels and muscle. These layers are loosely attached to your scull by a type of connective tissue called the...
A twinging pain in the low back is characteristically sudden and sharp. Low back pain is common in society and according to Medline Plus: It is estimated that 80 percent of Americans will experience back pain in their lifetime. Symptoms of back...
According to "Anatomy and Human Movement: Structure and Function," the inter-vertebral disc is an essential component of the structure of the human spine. There are at least 24 discs in the human spine with six in the cervical spine, 12 in the...
Neck pain and shoulder pain are common conditions. A pain in the neck can be caused by something as simple as poor posture or something as dramatic as an automobile accident. Usually, though, neck pain is the result of muscle strain or tension,...
You don't always feel hip pain directly over the hip; you might feel it in the middle of the thigh or groin, according to MedlinePlus. A common cause of hip pain is tight hip flexors, which irritate the hip joint and can interfere with walking and...
The training manual for your personal training certification exam may be the first personal training book you read from cover to cover, but education does not end with certification. An extensive personal training library is one of a trainer's...
An incline bench is typically adjustable to several different degrees of incline on the top half of the bench, with 3-4 levels of adjustments on the seat portion. How you adjust the seat is mostly personal preference for comfort and stability. On...
The major blood vessels of the leg fall into two subcategories. Arteries carry blood away from the heart and toward the body tissues. Since the arterial blood is meant to supply tissues and cells with oxygen and nutrients, this blood is...
The brain is composed of millions of nerve cells that relay messages to and from the body. Every sensation the body feels is sent to the brain for interpretation, and every muscle that moves is commanded to do so by the brain. When the glands...
There are three main structures that make up the brain. These include the cerebrum, cerebellum and the brainstem, explains the Brain Explorer site. Within each of these main structures are several smaller, but very important parts. The brain is...
Advocates of Bikram yoga boast of its many benefits. Bikram has been known to help relieve chronic ailments, clear up skin and increase heart health. Its body-sculpting benefits are also recognized among Bikram's 26 poses. This includes firming...
Range of motion is generally defined as the amount of movement that a joint or body part can move. Anatomy and bio-mechanic textbooks have listed range of motion normals and procedures have been developed to test whether a person's range of motion...
