A103 Anatomy and Physiology

Problem 15
“Deadly Strikes”
Students’ Worksheet

The student resource is meant to help students where to start their research into solving
the problem, as well as to provide some clues to the direction of learning they should be
taking.
1. http://www.wikiradiography.com/page/Surface+Anatomy
2. http://www.theodora.com/anatomy/surface_anatomy_index.html
3. http://www.med.umich.edu/lrc/coursepages/m1/anatomy2010/html/surface/index.html

1. In many martial art films or stories, there are examples of “special moves” where
the attacker uses pin point techniques on opponents to disable them. Where are
these points?

There are located near the vital point

2. These points are considered “vital points”. What do you think these points
represent? Explain why you think so. (eg bones? Muscles?)

3. Sometimes when we are not careful, we knock our elbow against a hard surface,
and we feel an unusual sensation in our arm. Commonly this is referred to as the
“funny bone” sensation. Try to identify where is the exact spot of this “funny
bone”.

4. Observe your team mates’ necks from the front with him/her looking at you.
Then, get them to turn their heads to the left and to the right. Are you able to
notice certain landmarks that are common between them?

5. Feel the back of your head. Identify the bony prominence. What is this
prominence? Is it present on your friends’ head? Is the position the same for
everyone?

6. From the back of your head, run you fingers down the neck, feeling the upper part
of your spine. What do you notice? Look at the diagram on the spine. What do
you think you are feeling?
 7. Try to locate these pulses. Are the locations constant from person to person?
Locate them on yourself and on your friends.
Name of pulse Location (as precise as possible, identify
landmarks)
Carotid Pulse
Radial Pulse
Brachial Pulse
Posterior Tibial Pulse
Apex Beat

8. When you see a doctor for a stomach ache, you might be asked to lie on your back
as he feels your tummy. Watch this video that shows a doctor demonstrating
palpation of the abdomen.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSPqXd9PILo

Note where he places his hands, as though dividing the abdomen into regions.
Based on what you learnt about the Gastrointestinal Tract, determine what organs
can be palpated in each region as shown below.
Region of abdomen Related organ(s)
Upper Right
Upper Left
Lower Right
Lower Left
Pelvic region

9. Looking back at the previous problems, identify surface markings or landmarks

or areas that can help you locate these various organs.

Organ Surface anatomy How to locate it

Liver
Heart
Kidneys
Lungs

End of Worksheet