In the Functional Anatomy course, you will learn about hundred different skeletal muscles, knowing at the end of the course the names and locations of many different skeletal muscles in the human body. The 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. The course will also cover Latin terms, which are also necessary to be familiar with, as this is an international professional language. At the same time, our course is based on Estonian terminology, as the course organization experience has indicated that it is easier to learn things first in Estonian and then add Latin terminology. The Functional Anatomy course is, therefore, a combination of the two languages.
Our Functional Anatomy course uses a human-scale model of the skeleton, providing a complete and practical learning experience. Each day includes both a theoretical and practical part where we review the positioning of skeletal muscles on the skeletal model. This will give you the basic knowledge you need to understand how the different parts of the body work together and influence each other. This approach will allow you to gain an in-depth understanding of the functions of skeletal muscles. The course's main objective is to provide a thorough understanding of human functional anatomy, which can later be applied in different fields.
The knowledge acquired in the Functional Anatomy course can be transferred into practice and will benefit masseurs, trainers, physiotherapists, persons who apply kinesiology tapes, chiropractors, yoga instructors, pilates instructors, etc.
Prerequisites for starting studies
There are no prerequisites for participation in the course, and anyone can attend.
The Functional Anatomy course is suitable for anyone who wants to start learning skeletal muscles from the beginning or refresh their knowledge. It 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 solve various situational problems.
Course volume, duration and structure
The Functional Anatomy course consists of 80 academic hours, of which 26 are face-to-face learning, and 54 are independent learning. One academic hour is equal to 45 minutes.
The Functional Anatomy 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 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 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 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 course
The Functional Anatomy course will cover 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
The Functional Anatomy course assesses the achievement of learning outcomes. Participation in learning outcomes assessment is voluntary, and if you would like to do so, a time will be arranged. A certificate will be issued upon achievement of all learning outcomes. If not all learning outcomes are achieved, a notice will be issued. The notice will be issued upon completing at least 70% of the course.
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
Course completer:
- knows the nature of the skeletal system;
- can recognise different bones and their types;
- knows the basic parts of the human body;
- understands the basic movements of the human body in different joints, and is able to use correct terminology;
- understands how the skeletal muscle system works;
- knows at a basic level the skeletal muscles of the shoulder girdle and upper arm, the forearm and hand, the neck and chest, the back and abdomen, the pelvic girdle and thigh, the lower leg and foot and their functions;
- knows the origins and insertions of skeletal muscles at a basic level;
- knows the skeletal muscles that form a person's posture;
- be able to solve situational problems related to skeletal muscles based on the knowledge acquired.
Methods of evaluation
The following assessment method will be used to assess the achievement of the learning outcomes:
- oral assessment.
In addition to the Functional Anatomy course, what other courses could you take?
The human body is based on different systems. The Functional Anatomy course focuses on the skeletal system and the skeletal muscle system. If you would like to learn more about the other systems of the human body, it is recommended that you take the Human Anatomy and Physiology course. The human body systems covered in this course are:
- 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 enroll in a Functional Anatomy course?
You can find the Functional Anatomy course here.
Any question? Send us an email!