2017 SAAO Forum 08-20-13

Lab 1 Palpation and Landmarks

LANDMARKS
Be able to find ALL of the following landmarks
Skull and cervical spine
occipital bone & occipital protuberance (inion)
earlobes, mastoid process & superior nuchal line
transverse process C1 & spinous process C2
angle of mandible & vertex (top of head)
vertebral prominence (C7), lateral masses
Shoulder girdle and arm
spine of scapula (T3), acromion process, coracoid process
scapula acromioclavicular (AC) joint
borders of scapula, inferior angle scapula (T7)
head of humerus
Back and Pelvis
spinous processes & transverse processes
rib angle 12th rib (QL attachment)
sacral base, iliac crest
posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS), Anterior Superior iliac spine (ASIS)
Iliac crest (L4)
Ischial tuberosities
Pubic Symphysis
Lower Extremity
femur
o greater trochanter
knee
o popliteal crease
o patella
tibia
o anterior tibial tubercle
o medial malleolus
fibula
o fibular head
o lateral malleolus
ankle
foot
o calcaneous
o navicular
o cuboid
o metatarsals
o tarsal

Lab 2 Static Symmetry

I.

Document curves of the spine on the Osteopathic Musculoskeletal

Examination Form
a. This is to get you used to/learn how to formulate your diagnosis
b. Note: We have never had to fill out the exam form during a practical
Normal (AP) curves of the spine
o Cervicals - lordosis
o Thoracics - kyphosis
o Lumbar lordosis
Postures
Kypholordosis
Swayback
Increased lordosis
Posterior pelvis
Increased kyphosis
rotation
Anterior pelvis
Head forward
rotation
Head forward

Military
Anterior pelvis
rotation
Head back

Flatback
Posterior pelvis
rotation
Head forward

Scoliosis (lateral curves) is named for the convexity of the curve

Left scoliosis/levoscoliosis
RLSR

o
o
o

Right scoliosis/dextroscoliosis
RRSL

Observe from Anterior, Posterior, Lateral

Stand behind when they bend over to observe rib angles
Have them swing their trunk side to side
Functional goes away when bent to a side
Structural stays when bent to both sides

II.

Plumb Line for Sagittal Posture

Start at the ear and adjust to hit as many landmarks as possible
Line should hit these landmarks:
o External auditory canal
o Head of the humerus
o L3
o Anterior 1/3 of sacrum
o Greater trochanter of femur
o Lateral condyle of the knee
o Lateral malleolus
Use these landmarks to determine type
of posture
III. Symmetry (yet again)
Compare sides of the body
o Posterior Evaluation
Earlobes
Shoulders
Angle of the scapulas
Iliac crests
Normal
Anterior
Posterior
Rotary
Greater trochanters
o Anterior Evaluation
Face
Trapezius
Body tilting or twisting
Sternum pectus excavatum (bows inward), pectus carinatum
(bows outward)
o Check feet arches and leg length