MBLEx

Anatomy is the study of body structures and their relationships; physiology is the study of body functions and how body parts work. The two are inseparable, and massage therapists need both to give safe, effective treatment and to communicate professionally with other health care providers. This section reviews terminology, every body system named in the MBLEx content outline, tissue injury and repair, and concepts of energetic anatomy. Anatomy and Physiology makes up about 11% of the exam.

The human body is organized into increasingly complex levels. Each level builds on the one below it, and all of them work together to maintain life.

atoms and

the smallest living

similar cells with a

two or more tissue

related organs with

all systems

➜

➜

➜

➜

➜

molecules: water,

units

common function

types working

a common purpose

functioning

proteins,

together

together

carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids

Tissue	StructureandExamples
Epithelial	Coverssurfacesandlinescavitiesandvessels Simplesquamousepithelium(onelayerofflatcells)lines .
	bloodvesselsandalveolifordiffusion;stratifiedsquamousepitheliumformstheprotectiveepidermis .
Connective	Supports binds andprotects:bone cartilage tendons ligaments fascia adiposetissue andblood Cells , , , , , , , , .
	sitinanextracellularmatrixoffibers(collagen elastic)andgroundsubstance , .
Muscle	Contractstoproducemovement:skeletal cardiac andsmoothmuscle , , .
Nervous	Neuronsconductelectricalsignals;neurogliasupportandprotectthem .

Anatomical position is the standard reference position: the body stands erect, facing forward, arms at the sides, palms facing forward, and feet parallel. All anatomical descriptions refer to this position regardless of how the body is actually positioned. A client lying face up is supine; face down is prone.

TermPair	Meaning	Example
Superior/Inferior	Towardtheheadorupperbody/towardthefeetorlower	Theheadissuperiortotheneck
	body
Anterior(ventral)/Posterior (dorsal) Medial/Lateral	Towardthefront/towardtheback Towardthemidline/awayfromthemidline	Thesternumisanteriortothe Thenoseismedialtotheears	s1 pine

Directionalterms(Continued)

TermPair	Meaning	Example
Proximal/Distal	Closerto/fartherfromthepointofattachmentortrunk	Theelbowisproximaltothewrist
Superficial/Deep	Toward/awayfromthebodysurface	Theskinissuperficialtomuscle

The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right portions;

The dorsal cavity contains the cranial cavity (brain) and

the midsagittal (median) plane divides it into equal halves. The

vertebral cavity (spinal cord). The ventral cavity contains the

frontal (coronal) plane divides it into anterior and posterior

thoracic cavity (heart, lungs), separated by the diaphragm

portions. The transverse (horizontal) plane divides it into

from the abdominopelvic cavity: the abdominal cavity

superior and inferior portions.

(digestive organs) and pelvic cavity (reproductive organs, bladder, rectum).

Abdominal regions divide the abdomen into nine areas for clinical reference. The superior row is the right hypochondriac, epigastric, and left hypochondriac regions; the middle row is the right lumbar, umbilical, and left lumbar regions; and the inferior row is the right iliac (inguinal), hypogastric, and left iliac regions. Alternatively, four quadrants divide the abdomen: right upper (RUQ), left upper (LUQ), right lower (RLQ), and left lower (LLQ).

The integumentary system consists of the skin and its accessory structures: hair, nails, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. It provides protection, sensation, temperature regulation, vitamin D synthesis, and excretion. The skin is the body's largest organ, and it is the organ massage therapists touch first.

Layer	KeyFeatures
Epidermis	Outermostlayerofstratifiedsquamousepithelium withnobloodvessels Ithasfivelayersinthickskin , .
	(palms soles)andfourinthinskin Fromdeeptosuperficial:stratumbasale stratumspinosum stratum , . , ,
	granulosum stratumlucidum(thickskinonly) andstratumcorneum Keratinocytesproducekeratin; , , .
	melanocytesproducemelanin(colorandUVprotection);Langerhanscellsareimmunecells;Merkelcells
	functioninlighttouch .
Dermis	Containsbloodvessels nerves hairfollicles andglands Thepapillarylayerissuperficial withdermal , , , . ,
	papillaethatinterlockwiththeepidermis;thereticularlayerisdeeperdenseirregularconnectivetissue
	whosecollagenandelasticfibersgivetheskinstrengthandelasticity .
Hypodermis	Nottechnicallypartoftheskin;anchorstheskintounderlyingstructuresandcontainsadiposetissuefor
(subcutaneouslayer)	insulationandenergystorage .

Hair is keratinized epithelial cells growing from a follicle; the

Sebaceous glands secrete oily, antibacterial sebum into hair

arrector pili muscle raises the hair (goosebumps). Nails are

follicles (absent on palms and soles). Eccrine sweat glands are

keratinized plates: the nail body, the root, the nail bed beneath,

widespread and cool the body; apocrine glands in the axillae

the lunula (white crescent), and the cuticle (eponychium).

and groin become active at puberty and produce thicker secretions.