Musculoskeletal Anatomy
Overview
This unit enables students to understand fundamental principles of human anatomy as they relate to the structure and function of the neuromusculoskeletal system. Particular emphasis is placed on developing an applied understanding of functional anatomy to appreciate the interaction of the neuromusculoskeletal system to support posture, movement and performance across the lifespan. Students will use a range of physical and digital anatomy resources, complemented by physical assessments of function and posture, to evaluate and interpret movement patterns, informed by a theoretical understanding of how these systems interact and respond to stressors associated with load, deconditioning, ageing and injury.
Requisites
01-November-2026
31-October-2027
Unit learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Identify and explain the structure, function, and interaction of the components of the neuromusculoskeletal system, and describe their individual and collective roles in contributing to movement and posture.
- Describe the structure of neuromusculoskeletal tissues and explain macro and micro level adaptations associated with load, deconditioning, ageing and injury across the lifespan.
- Conduct common physical assessments of movement and posture, applying surface anatomy landmark identification and palpation to inform analysis of posture and function of the musculoskeletal system.
- Apply anatomical terminology and principles of functional anatomy to critically analyse common movement patterns, identifying individual and composite musculoskeletal contributions.
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Activity | Total Hours | Number of Weeks | Hours Per Week |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Online | Lecture | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 |
| On-campus | Workshop | 24 | 12 weeks | 2 |
| Specified Activities | Various | 36 | 12 weeks | 3 |
| Unspecified Activities | Independent Learning | 66 | 12 weeks | 5.5 |
| Total Hours: | 150 | Total Hours (per week): | 12.5 | |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULO's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Examination | Individual | 40% | 1,2,4 |
| Class Exercises | Individual | 20% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Portfolio | Individual | 40% | 1,3,4 |
Content
- Structure and function of the neuromusculoskeletal system, including bones, muscles and joints
- Neurological, biological and physiological basis for movement
- Surface and gross anatomy of musculoskeletal systems
- Movement analysis and common assessments of posture
- Growth and development across the lifespan
- Graduate Attribute - Communication: Communicating using different media
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
- Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.