In the Functional Anatomy online course, you will learn about hundred different skeletal muscles, knowing at the end of the online course the names and locations of many different skeletal muscles in the human body. The online course will also give you a basic knowledge of the origins and insertions of the skeletal muscles, which will help you to identify the functions of the skeletal muscles, i.e. the specialised movement terminology: flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation, supination, pronation, etc. Functional anatomy provides a thorough basis for understanding the functioning of the human body at the level of skeletal muscles, particularly in the level of skeletal muscles functions. For example, which skeletal muscles form lordosis, which skeletal muscles are responsible for the flat back, which skeletal muscles form the foot arches (longitudinal and transverse arches), and so on.
Prerequisites for starting studies
The Functional Anatomy online course is suitable for anyone who wants to start learning skeletal muscles from the beginning, as well as for those who want to refresh what they have learned before. The Functional Anatomy e-course also gives excellent basic knowledge for those who are planning to take the masseur exam in the future. Knowledge of functional anatomy plays a vital role in professional examination; for example, manual skeletal muscle testing is based on knowledge of skeletal muscle function. An in-depth understanding of the human skeletal muscles will also help in solving a variety of situational problems.
Volume, duration and structure of the online course
The volume of the Functional Anatomy online course is 100 academic hours. One academic hour is equal to 45 minutes. The current online course is designed with only Estonian terminology; it is not based on Latin.
The Functional Anatomy online course can be completed within one year after registration.
The Functional Anatomy online course includes five main modules.
Module I: introduction, the skeletal system, the main parts of the body, and basic movements of the human body
The first module builds the foundation for all the following modules. If knowledge is acquired superficially in this phase, there will be no substantive knowledge acquisition in the following modules. Therefore, it is crucial that the first module is well-learned.
In the first module, you will acquire knowledge of the basic movements of the human body, the basic parts of the body, and the skeletal system. To understand how the skeletal muscle system works, it is important to know, first of all, the basic movements of the human body since different movements - such as adduction - are performed by the skeletal muscles. It is also important to know the basic parts of the body because these can be used to define skeletal muscle movements, such as thigh adduction, correctly. In addition, knowing the skeletal system is necessary, as knowing the bones and joints helps better understand which bone originates a skeletal muscle, which joint it crosses, and which bone it is insertioned. From the origins and insertions of the skeletal muscle, it is also possible to derive the functions of the skeletal muscles and to determine the precise movements of the human body from the basic movements and the basic parts of the body. Consequently, all the topics of the first module are closely related. Therefore, in the first module, it is important to acquire the knowledge thoroughly; only then it is reasonable to move on to the second module.
Module II: skeletal muscle system: upper extremity skeletal muscles
In the second module, the functions of the skeletal muscles of the upper extremities, their origins and insertions, and other details are reviewed. A list of the skeletal muscles discussed can be found under the e-course topic.
Module III: Skeletal system: skeletal muscles of the head, neck, and trunk, as well as pelvic tilt.
In the third module, the functions of the skeletal muscles of the head, neck, and trunk, their origins and insertions, etc., are reviewed. In addition, the skeletal muscles related to pelvic tilt are highlighted: the anterior (lumbar lordosis) and posterior (flat back) pelvic tilt. A list of the skeletal muscles addressed can be found under the e-course topic.
Module IV: skeletal system: lower extremity skeletal muscles and the foot arches.
In the fourth module, the functions of the skeletal muscles of the lower extremity, their origins, insertions, etc., are reviewed. In addition, the skeletal muscles involved in developing the foot arches—the longitudinal and transverse arches—are highlighted. A list of the skeletal muscles discussed can be found under the e-course topic.
Module V: respiratory muscles
The fifth module focuses on the skeletal muscles involved in breathing: the muscles of inspiration and expiration.
Topics of the online course
The Functional Anatomy e-course includes the following topics:
- skeletal system: bones and bone connections;
- the main parts of the human body: head, neck, trunk, extremities and their subparts;
- basic movements of the human body: flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, internal rotation, external rotation, supination, pronation, etc;
- skeletal muscle system;
- skeletal muscles of the shoulder girdle: coracobrachialis, pectoralis major, subscapularis, teres major, latissimus dorsi, supraspinatus, infraspinatus, teres minor, deltoid;
- upper arm skeletal muscles: triceps brachii, anconeus, coracobrachialis, brachialis, biceps brachii;
- skeletal muscles of the forearm: teres minor, flexor carpi radialis, palmaris longus, flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor digitorum superficialis, flexor pollicis longus, flexor digitorum profundus, pronator quadratus, extensor carpi radialis longus and brevis, brachioradialis, supinator, abductor pollicis longus, extensor pollicis brevis, extensor pollicis longus, extensor indicis, extensor digitorum, extensor digiti minimi, extensor carpi ulnaris;
- skeletal muscles of the hand: opponens digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, abductor digiti minimi, palmaris brevis, adductor pollicis, opponens pollicis, flexor pollicis brevis, abductor pollicis brevis, dorsal interossei of the hand, palmar interossei of the hand, lumbricals;
- skeletal muscles of the head and neck: masseter, temporalis, trapezius, levator scapulae, scalene, sternocleidomastoid;
- pectoral skeletal muscles: pectoralis major, pectoralis minor, subclavius, serratus anterior;
- the skeletal muscles of the abdomen: internal and external abdominal oblique, transverse abdominal, pyramidalis, rectus abdominis, quadratus lumborum, intertransversarii;
- skeletal muscles of the back: splenius muscles, rhomboid major and minor muscles, erector spinae, latissimus dorsi, interspinales, multifidus, rotatores;
- anterior and posterior pelvic tilt: lumbar lordosis and flat back;
- pelvic girdle skeletal muscles: gluteus maximus, tensor fasciae latae, gluteus medius, piriformis, triceps surae, quadratus femoris, gluteus medius, iliopsoas, psoas minor;
- thigh skeletal muscles: quadriceps femoris, sartorius, pectineus, adductor longus, gracilis, adductor brevis, external obturator, adductor magnus, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, semimembranosus, popliteus;
- lower leg skeletal muscles: extensor digitorum longus, fibularis tertius, tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, fibularis longus and brevis, triceps surae, plantaris, flexor digitorum longus muscle, flexor hallucis longus muscle, tibialis posterior muscle;
- skeletal muscles of the foot: opponens digiti minimi, flexor digiti minimi brevis, abductor digiti minimi, extensor hallucis brevis, flexor digitorum brevis, adductor hallucis, flexor hallucis brevis, abductor hallucis, dorsal interossei, plantar interossei, lumbricals, quadratus plantae, flexor digitorum brevis;
- foot arches: medial and lateral longitudinal, transverse;
- respiratory muscles: muscles of inhalation, muscles of exhalation;
- etc.
Learning outcomes and their assessment; documents to be issued
In the Functional Anatomy e-course, the learning outcomes are assessed. To achieve the learning outcomes, you must pass multiple-choice tests and complete various written tasks, such as answering short questions. You will also have to pass a final test and a written examination. A certificate will be issued upon achievement of the learning outcomes. If not all learning outcomes are achieved, a notice will be issued. The certificate is issued upon at least 70% completion of the e-course.
Assessment of learning outcomes takes place at the end of each module and in certain submodules. Written assignments receive written feedback, which may take 24–72 hours; only after the independent work has been reviewed and feedback provided can one proceed to the next (sub)module.
The certificate or notice within Estonia is free of charge; sending abroad is by agreement. We can also issue the certificate or notice electronically upon request.
Learning outcomes
An online course participant:
- understands the nature of the skeletal system and the skeletal muscle system;
- knows bones and basic bony landmarks.
- knows the basic parts of the human body;
- can name the main movements of the human body in different joints;
- has basic knowledge of the following skeletal muscles, their origin, insertion points, and functions: muscles of the shoulder girdle, upper arm, forearm, hand, neck, chest, back, abdomen, pelvic girdle, thigh, lower leg, and foot.
- is familiar with the skeletal muscles involved in breathing.
- can name the skeletal muscles that shape human posture:
- skeletal muscles forming the arches of the feet.
- skeletal muscles associated with bowleg (O-legs) and knock-knee (X-legs);
- skeletal muscles that affect the position of the hip joint;
- skeletal muscles shaping kyphosis and lordosis;
- skeletal muscles that affect pelvic tilt;
- skeletal muscles related to the position of the shoulder girdle;
- skeletal muscles affecting other (smaller) joints.
- solves situational tasks related to skeletal muscles within the limits of the acquired knowledge;
Methods of evaluation
The following evaluation methods are used to assess the achievement of the learning outcomes:
- multiple-choice module tests (a total of 5 tests);
- answering short questions (a total of 9 topic blocks);
- final test – 30 questions;
- written assessment: solving situational tasks.
In addition to the Functional Anatomy e-course, what other e-courses could you take?
The human body is based on different systems. The Functional Anatomy e-course mainly focuses on the skeletal and musculoskeletal systems. Consequently, if you want to learn more about the other systems of the human body, it is recommended that you also complete the e-course Human Anatomy and Physiology, which can be found here. The human body systems covered in this e-course would be:
- circulatory system,
- digestive system,
- lymphatic system,
- respiratory system,
- urogenital system,
- endocrine system,
- nervous and sensory system.
It is also worth considering taking a Myofascial Lines online course, as this online course looks at skeletal muscles from a chain perspective. In addition, one might consider taking the trigger-points system online course as this system is also based on skeletal muscles. Knowledge of the different systems will help to understand the functioning of the human body in a more versatile way.
Where can I register for the Functional Anatomy online course?
You can register for the Functional Anatomy online course, which uses only Estonian professional terminology, here.
Would you like to participate in the current online course as an individual course (1–2 participants) in real-time via Zoom or as face-to-face learning? You can find more information here.
Any question? Send us an email!