Musculoskeletal Disorders
1.Introduction to the musculoskeletal system
The musculoskeletal or the locomotive system, is the perhaps the most important system
within the human anatomy; due to its role in; providing support; stability; movement;
protection of organs; its capability to produce red blood cells; and store minerals. The
musculoskeletal system itself can be subdivided into two comprehensive categories, the
muscular system and the skeletal system.
The muscular system is comprised of specialised cells called muscle fibres that can be
further classified into three groups; smooth, skeletal and cardiac. Regarding the body’s
movement on account of the muscular system, the skeletal muscles are exclusively able to
provide voluntary movements such as kicking a ball or playing the piano. This is due to the
skeletal muscle being in bundles called fascicles and the muscle being “innervated by the
somatic part of the nervous system” (Sendic, 2020). Whereas, smooth muscles that line
hollow organs and blood vessels and cardiac muscle that form the myocardium of the heart
are movements produced unconsciously by the body meaning they require no thought and
are constantly occurring. Muscles themselves create movement by contracting and relaxing
and often work in pairs of flexors and extensors that are connected to the bones through
strong tendons. Some of the major anterior muscles can be seen in figure 1.1 and some of
the major posterior muscles can be seen in figure 1.2.
Occipitofrontalis
Epicranial Occpitofront
aponeurosis alis
Trapezius
Sternoleidomastoid
Deltoid
Pectoralis major
Lattisimus
dorsi
Brachioradiali
s External
Oblique Gluteus
Rectus Abdominis
Gluteus medius medius
Gluteus
Satorius maximus
Rectus femoris
Vastus lateralis
Vastus medialis
Gastrocne
Gastrocnmius mius
Tibialis anterior
Achilles
tendon
Figure 1.1 (Depositphotos, 2013) Figure 1.2 (Depositphotos, 2013)
, The skeletal system contains all the “bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments” (Seladi-
Schulman, 2018) within the human body. The skeletal system provides the body with
structure, allowing the muscular system to be attached and create its movements but it also
provides movement itself through joints. The joints that are found at the meeting point
between bones also allow for movements these include; flexion and extension; abduction
and adduction; circumduction; and internal and external rotation. Most importantly, the
formation of red blood cells occurs in the bone marrow of the bones. Without the constant
production of red blood cells within the body there would be such a lack of oxygen flowing
that the entire body would shut down and die. Additionally, the skeletal system is
responsible for the protection of major organs. By covering the organs such as the brain or
lungs with strong bone, they are less likely to become injured upon any form of
impact/trauma. Lastly, the bones can store and release minerals such as calcium and
phosphorus into the body. Being able to release calcium into the body aids other bodily
functions, as it not only helps strengthen bones but helps nerves send signals from the brain
to the rest of the body. Bones within the skeletal system can be seen in figure 1.3 showing
the anterior view and figure 1.4 showing the posterior view.
2.Physiology and Anatomy Major Joints
The Proximal Radioulnar Joint
The proximal radioulnar joint, seen in figure 2.1, is found in
the elbow and allows the radius and ulna bones in the
1.Introduction to the musculoskeletal system
The musculoskeletal or the locomotive system, is the perhaps the most important system
within the human anatomy; due to its role in; providing support; stability; movement;
protection of organs; its capability to produce red blood cells; and store minerals. The
musculoskeletal system itself can be subdivided into two comprehensive categories, the
muscular system and the skeletal system.
The muscular system is comprised of specialised cells called muscle fibres that can be
further classified into three groups; smooth, skeletal and cardiac. Regarding the body’s
movement on account of the muscular system, the skeletal muscles are exclusively able to
provide voluntary movements such as kicking a ball or playing the piano. This is due to the
skeletal muscle being in bundles called fascicles and the muscle being “innervated by the
somatic part of the nervous system” (Sendic, 2020). Whereas, smooth muscles that line
hollow organs and blood vessels and cardiac muscle that form the myocardium of the heart
are movements produced unconsciously by the body meaning they require no thought and
are constantly occurring. Muscles themselves create movement by contracting and relaxing
and often work in pairs of flexors and extensors that are connected to the bones through
strong tendons. Some of the major anterior muscles can be seen in figure 1.1 and some of
the major posterior muscles can be seen in figure 1.2.
Occipitofrontalis
Epicranial Occpitofront
aponeurosis alis
Trapezius
Sternoleidomastoid
Deltoid
Pectoralis major
Lattisimus
dorsi
Brachioradiali
s External
Oblique Gluteus
Rectus Abdominis
Gluteus medius medius
Gluteus
Satorius maximus
Rectus femoris
Vastus lateralis
Vastus medialis
Gastrocne
Gastrocnmius mius
Tibialis anterior
Achilles
tendon
Figure 1.1 (Depositphotos, 2013) Figure 1.2 (Depositphotos, 2013)
, The skeletal system contains all the “bones, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments” (Seladi-
Schulman, 2018) within the human body. The skeletal system provides the body with
structure, allowing the muscular system to be attached and create its movements but it also
provides movement itself through joints. The joints that are found at the meeting point
between bones also allow for movements these include; flexion and extension; abduction
and adduction; circumduction; and internal and external rotation. Most importantly, the
formation of red blood cells occurs in the bone marrow of the bones. Without the constant
production of red blood cells within the body there would be such a lack of oxygen flowing
that the entire body would shut down and die. Additionally, the skeletal system is
responsible for the protection of major organs. By covering the organs such as the brain or
lungs with strong bone, they are less likely to become injured upon any form of
impact/trauma. Lastly, the bones can store and release minerals such as calcium and
phosphorus into the body. Being able to release calcium into the body aids other bodily
functions, as it not only helps strengthen bones but helps nerves send signals from the brain
to the rest of the body. Bones within the skeletal system can be seen in figure 1.3 showing
the anterior view and figure 1.4 showing the posterior view.
2.Physiology and Anatomy Major Joints
The Proximal Radioulnar Joint
The proximal radioulnar joint, seen in figure 2.1, is found in
the elbow and allows the radius and ulna bones in the
