Unit -7 Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology in Sports..!!

UNIT CONTENTS :

7.1 Definition and Importance of Anatomy and Physiology in exercise and sports

7.2 Function of Skeleton System, Classification of Bones & Types of Joints

7.3 Function and Structure of Circulatory system and heart.

7.4 Function and Structure of Respiratory system

7.1 Definition and Importance of Anatomy and Physiology in Exercise and Sports

Anatomy : It is a branch of biology that deals with the study of body structure of organism which
includes then systems, organs and tissues.

The word ‘Anatomy’ is derived from a Greek word ‘anatome’ which means ‘to dissect’ or ‘to cut
apart’.

According to its meaning, anatomy is a branch of biology which deals with the identification and
description of internal body structure of an organism or living being.

In other words, it is a dissection or a detailed analysis of the structure, shape, size, weight and
location of all organs of a human body.
Physiology : The word ‘Physiology’ consists of two words ‘physio’ which means ‘nature’ and ‘logy’
meaning ‘study’.

Thus, physiology can be defined as a branch of biology which deals with the functions and activities
of all the systems of the human body and their mutual relationships. In fact, it is the study of all
mechanical, physical and biochemical processes that support the human body and its functioning.

In this field, one studies the functions of the various organ systems, organs, cells and the
biomolecules that allow a living organism to survive, grow, and develop.

There are mainly 9 organ systems in a human body. They are :

1. Skeletal system 2. Glandular system 3. Muscular system 4. Excretory system 5. Circulatory system
6. Reproductive system 7. Respiratory system 8. Digestive system 9. Nervous system

7.2 Function of Skeleton System, Classification of Bones & Types of Joints : Skeleton System : This is
the bony frame work of body consisting of numbers of bones. Total bones in human body are 206.

The skeletal system can be mainly classified into two categories which are as follows –

1. Axial Skeleton : It Consists of the bones such as Skull(28), Sternum (1), Ribs (24), Hyoid bone (1)
and Vertebral column (26).

2. Appendicular Skeleton : It Consists of bones in the upper limbs (64) and lower limbs (62).
Classification of Bones : On the basis of their shapes and formation, bones are classified into the
following types

1. Long Bones : These bones are found mainly in the upper and lower limbs, and act as a lever in our
body which helps in making movements possible. They are primarily compact and have a large
amount of a spongy material at the end. Long bones such as humerus and femur consists of a shaft
and two extremities each. Some long bones present in our body are the Femur, Tibia, Fibula, etc.
2.Short Bones : A short bone is one that is cube-like in shape, being approximately equal in length,
width and thickness. Short bones provide stability and support as well as some amount of motion.
The only short bones in the human skeleton are in the carpals of the wrists and the tarsals of the
ankles.

3. Flat Bones : Flat bones are thin, flattened and usually curved. They provide a large surface for
muscle attachments and protect internal organs. Examples includes bones of the skull, the pelvis,
the sternum and the scapulae.

4. Irregular Bones : Irregular bones have complicated shapes. They are primarily spongy bones that
are covered with a thin layer of compact bone. The vertebrae and some of the bones in the skull are
irregular bones.
5. Sesamoid Bones : These are small, round bones shaped like a sesame seed. These bones are
found in tendons where a great deal of pressure is generated in a joint. The sesamoid bones protect
tendons by helping them overcome compressive forces. They vary in number and placement from
person to person, but are typically found in tendons associated with the feet, hands and knees.

6. Sutural Bones : These are very small bones located within the sutural joints between the cranial
bones. These are classified by their location and not by shape. The number of sutural bones varies
considerably because different people have different numbers of sutural bones.
Joints : The bones present in our body are joined by a network of tendons, ligaments and cartilages.
The junction at which two or more bones are joined is called a joint. It is mainly a mechanism of
movements in a hard and rigid skeleton. The joints present in the human body are formed in such a
way that they maintain a balance between the movement, stability and strength of the human
skeleton.

Types of Joints : In the study of joints (also called arthrology), joints are classified into various types
on the basis of structural as well as functional basis.

1 .Immovable Joints or Synarthrosis Joints : In this type, the bones are held together by means of
fibrous tissue or ligaments. So, these joints are also called fibrous joints. Due to the presence of
fibrous tissue, these joints are immovable. These joints are found in the skull and face.

2.Slightly Movable Joints or Amphiarthrosis Joints : These joints are slightly movable. A pad of
cartilage lies between the bone surface and the fibrous capsule which holds the bone and cartilage
in place. The cartilages of such joints also act as shock absorbers. For instance, intervertebral discs
between the bodies of vertebrae strengthen the cartilage by extra collagen fibres. There are two
types of such joints

(i) Synchrondrosis : It is a temporary form of joint that exist only while the skeleton is growing.
These are replaced by bones once the skeleton grows completely. An example is the joint between
first pair of ribs and the sternum.

(ii) Symphysis : The joint consists of a compressible fibro-cartilage pad that connects two bones. This
type of joint allows for some movement. The hip bones, connected by the pubic symphysis, and the
vertebrae connected by intervertebral discs, are two examples of symphysis.
s3. Freely Movable Joints : These joints are also called as synovial joints

(i) Gliding Joint : These joints move against each other or glide on a single plane. The ends
of one of the gliding joints are slightly concave and the other is slightly convex. These
joints provide only gliding movements. Examples of such joints are bones of wrist and
ankle.
(ii) Hinge Joints : In such joints, movement takes place on just one axis or direction, like a
door on its hinges. One end of such joints has a concave shape while the other has
convex, such that movement is possible only in one place. Examples of such joints are
joints present in elbow, fingers etc.
(iii) Condyloid Joints : These joints are similar to hinge joints but they allow movement over
two planes. These joints permits flexion, extension and circular motion (adduction,
abduction and circumduction)
(iv) Saddle Joints : These joints allow for flexion, extension and other movements, but does
not allow rotation. An example is the thumb’s saddle joint (between the carpal of the
hand and metacarpal of the thumb). It lets the thumb cross over the palm and oppose
the fingers.
(v) Ball and Socket Joints : These joints move freely and can rotate on any axis. In these
joints, a rounded bone lies in a cup-like cavity. The hip and shoulder joints are examples
of ball and socket joints. (vi) Pivot Joints : These are joints with a rotatory movement on
one axis. In other words, a bone of cylindrical shape moves around a pivot within a ring
made up of bone and cartilage.