Functional Musculoskeletal Anatomy

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Key facts

UNE unit code: ANAT120

*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.

Start

Trimester 2 - Online

24/7 online support

Intensive schools

Supervised exam

Credit points

UNE student studies on a laptop on her lounge at home

Functional musculoskeletal anatomy is the study of how the neuro-musculoskeletal structures of the human body function.

This unit provides you with a broad introduction to this area of human anatomy and equips you with the background knowledge you need to study biomechanics at a more advanced level in future.

You will explore topics such as the structure and function of musculoskeletal tissues and the basic elements of motor control and sensory feedback. You will investigate the functional anatomy of the upper and lower limbs, the vertebral column and the head and neck.

By examining posture and locomotion, you will develop an understanding of integrated musculoskeletal function.

You will also briefly review the functional anatomy of adaptation due to growth and development, injury and disuse, and in response to exercise.

Offerings

Teaching period	Mode/location
Trimester 2	Online

*Offering is subject to availability

Intensive schools

Start	Finish	Duration	Attendance	Offerings	Notes
TBA	TBA	3 days	Mandatory Intensive School	Trimester 2, Online	The intensive school is mandatory for online students only. Students must attend the Mandatory Intensive School which is held in Armidale.

Enrolment rules

Pre-requisites

ANAT110 or (BIOL110 and PSIO110 and candidature in the BBiomedSc)

Restrictions

ANAT220

Notes

The School of Science and Technology considers all practical / laboratory activities as essential to student learning.

Attendance and participation in all practical / laboratory classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence.

Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.

Unit coordinator(s)

Samantha Birse - School of Science and Technology

Learning outcomes

Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:

locate and identify components of the neuromusculoskeletal system of the human body and appropriately describe the role of these to peers and future clients;
identify foundation kinesiological principles, and the terminology commonly used to describe them, and use these to analyse individual joint complexes and their independent and composite functions in posture and movement analysis in exercise;
develop a broad understanding of the effects of growth and development, exercise, immobilisation and injury and evaluate these in relation to the neuromusculoskeletal system;
consolidate an understanding of anatomical tissues and describe how various movement contexts might influence their function;
demonstrate knowledge of body proportions and apply this to sport performance; and
identify muscles that are active in producing and controlling a movement at a particular joint and analyse their roles.

Assessment information

Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Title	Must Complete	Weight	Offerings	Assessment Notes
Assessment 1	No	20%	All offerings	Online quizzes (2 quizzes; 10% each)
Assessment 2	Yes		All offerings	The School of Science and Technology considers all practical / laboratory activities as essential to student learning. Attendance and participation in all practical / laboratory classes (sessions) is mandatory - exemptions will not be granted without supporting evidence. impairment to analyse and assess real-world clinical scenarios.
Assessment 3	No	30%	All offerings	Written movement analysis. No Words: 1500
Assessment 4- Assurance Task	Yes	50%	All offerings	VIVA Voce with questions It is mandatory to pass this item to pass the unit.

Learning resources

Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.

Note: Students are expected to purchase prescribed material. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.