Anatomy, Physiology, and Kinesiology
Domain overview
This domain tests anatomy, physiology, and kinesiology as applied in practice: joint motions, muscle actions, nerve and blood supply, and how pathology changes treatment decisions. Expect questions that ask which muscle performs an action or which structure is at risk.
Core rules
- Use anatomical position and directional terms: proximal and distal, medial and lateral, flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, rotation.
- For each muscle know origin, insertion, action, and innervation; origin is usually the more proximal, stable attachment.
- Synovial joints have a capsule, cartilage, and synovial fluid; ligaments restrict movement while tendons transmit force.
- Classify contractions: concentric (shortening), eccentric (lengthening under load), isometric (no change in length).
- Identify agonists, antagonists, synergists, and stabilizers in a movement.
- Understand the stretch reflex and reciprocal inhibition.
- Relate nerve compression to sensory and motor deficits.
Worked example
A client has weakness in shoulder abduction and pain over the lateral deltoid. Reasoning: the supraspinatus initiates abduction and the deltoid continues it; both are supplied by the suprascapular and axillary nerves respectively. Weakness plus lateral pain suggests rotator cuff involvement. Massage may address surrounding soft tissue, but testing and referral are needed for diagnosis.
Traps that cost marks
- Reversing origin and insertion.
- Confusing eccentric contraction with relaxation.
- Mixing up sympathetic and parasympathetic effects.
- Assuming pain location equals the source tissue.