1. STOTT PILATES®
ANATOMY REVIEW
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2. Anatomy Review
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3. Objectives
Review anatomical terminology
Review origins, insertions and actions of the major muscles of the body
Understand how to analyze the functional anatomy of an exercise
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4. Anatomical Terminology
Provides a common language worldwide for people to describe the body clearly
and to indicate the position of its parts and organs relative to each other
Anatomical Position:
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Used as a reference position
All descriptions are expressed in relation to this position
All movement is categorized and defined from anatomical neutral
Refers to a body position of:
• head, gaze and toes directed forward (anteriorly)
• arms by the sides with palms facing forward
• lower limbs with feet close together
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5. Anatomical Planes
Movement descriptions are based on three anatomical planes that pass through
the body in anatomical position
Anatomical planes are used to describe movements
Sagittal / Median plane
› Vertical plane that runs from front to back and divides the body into right and left halves
Coronal / Frontal plane
› Vertical plane that runs from side to side and divides the body into front and back halves
Transverse / Horizontal plane
› A horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower halves
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6. Planes of the body
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7. Terms of Relationship & Comparison
Various adjectives describe the location of parts of the body by comparing their
relative positions from anatomical neutral
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Superior (cranial) – closer to the head
Inferior (caudal) – closer to the feet
Anterior (ventral) – closer to the front
Posterior (dorsal) – closer to the back
Medial – closer to the midline
Lateral - farther from the midline
Proximal – closer to the trunk or point of origin
Distal – farther from the trunk or point of origin
Superficial – closer to or on the surface
Deep – farther from the surface

8. Terms of Laterality
Bilateral – paired structures that have left and right parts, using both sides of the
body, both limbs or both sides of the muscle
Unilateral – structure only on one side, using only one side of the body, limb or
muscle
Ipsilateral – occurs on the same side of the body
Contralateral – occurs on the opposite side of the body
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9. Terms of Movement
Various terms describe movement of the limbs and other parts of the body
Movements take place at joints where two or more bones articulate
with one another
› Flexion – bending of a part or decreasing the angle between body parts in the
sagittal plane
› Extension – straightening a part or increasing the angle between body parts in the
sagittal plane
› Abduction – movement away from the midline of the body
› Adduction – movement toward the midline of the body
› Lateral flexion – sideways bending of the trunk, neck or head
› Dorsiflexion – movement of the dorsal surface of the foot toward the anterior leg,
decreasing the angle of the joint
› Plantar flexing – movement of the plantar surface of the foot away from the anterior leg,
increasing the angle of the joint
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10. Terms of Movement
Rotation – moving a part of the body around its long axis
› Medial rotation – turns the anterior surface medially
› Lateral rotation – turns the anterior surface laterally
› Upward rotation – movement of the scapula where the inferior angle moves laterally and
the glenoid fossa moves superiorly
› Downward rotation – movement of the scapula where the inferior angle moves medially
and the glenoid fossa moves inferiorly
Circumduction – circular movement of the limbs combining the sequence of
flexion, extension, abduction and adduction
Pronation – medial rotation of the forearm and hand
Supination – lateral rotation of the forearm and hand
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11. Terms of Movement
Horizontal abduction/extension – from a 90 degree flexed arm position, the arm is
extended out away from the midline of the body
Horizontal adduction/flexion – from a 90 degree abducted arm position, he
humerus is flexed in toward the midline of the body
Inversion – the medial border of the foot lifts and the sole of the foot faces in
toward the midline
› Note: inversion is often interchanged with supination. Supination is a dynamic movement
and is a combination of plantar flexion, inversion of the tarsals and forefoot adduction.
Eversion – the lateral border of the foot lifts and the sole of the foot faces away
from the midline
› Note: eversion is often interchanged with pronation. Pronation is a dynamic movement and
is a combination of dorsiflexion, eversion and forefoot abduction.
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12. Joints
Joints are classified by the amount of movement they permit or their structural
makeup
Immovable
› Synarthrodial or fibrous joints – like the sutures in the skull
Slighly movable
› Amphiarthrodial or cartilagenous joints
› Symphyses – bones are connected by cartilage like intervertebral disks
Freely movable
› Diarthrodial or synovial joints
› Most common joints in the body
› Characterized by
• Articulating bones whose ends are capped with articular cartilage
• Surrounded by ligaments
• Contains a synovial membrane
› Most Pilates exercises deal with freely movable joints, and movements are described as
occurring at or ‘about’ a joint
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13. Bony Prominences
There are many types of prominences or depressions that provide attachment
sites for muscles and tendons
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Condyle
Epicondyle
Spine
Tubercle
Tuberosity
Process
Trochanter
Crest
Foramen
Fossa

14. Bones
Bones provide the structure to the body and act as attachment sites of muscles,
ligaments, etc.
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15. Muscles
Muscles perform four important functions in the body
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produce movement
maintain posture
stabilize joints
generate heat

16. Types of Muscle Actions
Isotonic
› A muscle action in which muscle length changes
Concentric
› Active shortening of a muscle
› The origin and insertion move closer together
› Creates movement
Eccentric
› Active lengthening of a muscle
› The origin and insertion move apart
› Controls movement
Isometric
› A muscle action in which muscle length does not change
› Occurs when the force created is matched by external force
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17. Muscle Attachments
Origin
› Attachment point of a muscle to a primarily fixed structure
Insertion
› Attachment point of a muscle to a primarily moveable structure
Action
› The movement a muscular contraction produces
› Often when the insertion moves toward the origin
Reverse action
› The reverse action of a muscular contraction
› Often when the origin moves toward the insertion
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18. Muscles
In order to understand movement analysis, you must know where each muscle
attaches and the movements it produces
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19. Muscles
Muscle names reflect:
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Shape - rhomboid
Location – rectus femoris
Fiber direction – external oblique
Action – levator scapulae
Attachment site - sternocleidomastoid

20. Anterior Trunk & Neck
Rectus Abdominis
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Origin: pubic crest and symphysis
Insertion: costal cartilages of rib 5 to 7
Action: bilaterally – forward flexion of the trunk; unilaterally –
lateral flexion of the trunk to the same side
External Oblique
› Origin: rib 5 to 12
› Insertion: broad abdominal aponeurosis to the linea alba, anterior iliac crest
› Action: bilaterally – forward flexion of the trunk; unilaterally – lateral flexion of the trunk to
the same side and rotation of the trunk to the opposite side
Internal Oblique
› Origin: medial iliac crest and thoracolumbar fascia
› Insertion: rib 10 to 12
› Action: bilaterally – forward flexion of the trunk; unilaterally – lateral flexion and rotation of
the trunk to the same side
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21. Anterior Trunk & Neck
Sternocleidomastoid
› Origin: sternal head – top of manubrium; clavicular head – medial third of the clavicle
› Insertion: mastoid process and occipital bone
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the head to the same side, rotation of the head to the
opposite side; bilaterally – flexion of the head
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22. Muscles of Respiration
Transversus Abdominis
› Origin: iliac crest; thoracolumbar fascia, rib 6 to 12
› Insertion: broad abdominal aponeurosis to the linea alba
› Action: compression of abdominal viscera; stabilization of the lumbo-pelvic region
Diaphragm
› Origin: inner surface of the body wall: sternal portion – back of the xiphoid process; costal
portion – inner surfaces of lower six ribs; lumbar portion – anterior bodies of lumbar
vertebrae
› Insertion: central tendon
› Action: draws the central tendon downward increasing thoracic cavity volume during
inhalation
Pelvic Floor
› refers to a group of muscles of the inferior pelvis
› made up of the puborectalis, pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus (collectively the levator ani) and
ischiococcygeus
› extends from the body of the pubis to the coccyx and between the ischial spines
› functions to stabilize the joints of the pelvis including the sacroiliac joint
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23. Hip
Psoas Major
› Origin: transverse process and anterior surfaces of bodies of T12 to L5
› Insertion: lesser trochanter
› Action: flexion and slight lateral rotation of the hip, maintains lordosis
Iliacus
› Origin: superior portion of iliac fossa
› Insertion: lesser trochanter
› Action: flexion and slight lateral rotation of the hip
Iliopsoas
› the combination of psoas major and iliacus
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24. Hip
Gluteus Maximus
› Origin: posterior ilium, sacrum, coccyx
› Insertion: gluteal tuberosity and iliotibial tract (band)
› Action: extension and lateral rotation of the hip
• Upper fibers – abduction of femur
• Lower fibers – adduction of femur
Gluteus Medius
› Origin: lateral iliac crest
› Insertion: greater trochanter
› Action: abduction of the femur
• Anterior portion – flexion of the hip and medial rotation of the femur
• Posterior portion – extension of the hip and lateral rotation of the femur
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25. Hip
Gluteus Minimus
› Origin: lateral ilium, inferior to gluteus medius
› Insertion: greater trochanter (anterior surface)
› Action: flexion of the hip, abduction and medial rotation of the femur
Tensor Fasciae Latae
› Origin: anterior ilium, anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS)
› Insertion: iliotibial band
› Action: flexion of the hip, abduction and medial rotation of the femur
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26. Hip
Pectineus
› Origin: superior surface of pubis
› Insertion: pectineal line and proximal linea aspera
› Action: adduction of the femur, aids in flexion and medial / lateral* rotation of femur
Adductor Brevis
› Origin: inferior ramus of pubis
› Insertion: lesser trochanter, linea aspera, medial portion of femur
› Action: adduction of the femur, aids in flexion and medial rotation of the femur
* References differ on actions depending on the position of the femur
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27. Hip
Adductor Longus
› Origin: anterior pubis
› Insertion: medial portion of femur, linea aspera
› Action: adduction of femur, aids in flexion and medial / lateral* rotation of femur
Adductor Magnus
› Origin: ischial tuberosity, inferior ramus of pubis
› Insertion: medial portion of femur, adductor tubercle
› Action: adduction and lateral rotation of the femur, extension of the hip
* References differ on actions depending on the position of the femur
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28. Hip
Piriformis
› Origin: sacrum (anterior surface)
› Insertion: greater trochanter, superior aspect
› Action: lateral rotation of the hip, aids in abduction of the hip
Obturator Externus
› Origin: external / outer surface of obturator foramen, superior and inferior ramus of pubis
› Insertion: medial to greater trochanter
› Action: lateral rotation of the hip
Obturator Internus
› Origin: internal / inner surface of obturator foramen
› Insertion: trochanteric fossa, medial surface of greater trochanter
› Action: lateral rotation of the hip
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29. Hip
Gemellus Superior
› Origin: lateral ischial spine
› Insertion: medial surface of greater trochanter
› Action: lateral rotation of the hip
Gemellus Inferior
› Origin: superior portion ischial tuberosity
› Insertion: medial surface greater trochanter
› Action: lateral rotation of the hip
Quadratus Femoris
› Origin: lateral border ischial tuberosity
› Insertion: inferior, posterior greater trochanter
› Action: lateral rotation of hip
• Note: the preceding six muscles are referred to as the deep six lateral rotators of the hip
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30. Hip & Knee
Rectus Femoris
› Origin: anterior superior iliac spine, acetabulum
› Insertion: patella, tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
› Action: extension of the knee, flexion of the hip
Vastus Lateralis
› Origin: lateral lip of linea aspera, lateral surface of gluteal tuberosity
› Insertion: lateral border of patella, tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
› Action: extension of the knee, draws patella laterally
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31. Hip & Knee
Vastus Intermedius
› Origin: anterior, lateral, superior part of femur
› Insertion: superior border of patella, tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
› Action: extension of the knee
Vastus Medialis
› Origin: intertrochanteric line, medial lip of linea aspera
› Insertion: medial border of patella, tibial tuberosity via patellar ligament
› Action: extension of the knee, draws patella medially
Note: the preceding four muscles are referred to as the quadriceps
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32. Hip & Knee
Biceps Femoris
› Origin: long head - ischial tuberosity, short head – lateral lip of linea aspera
› Insertion: lateral head of fibula, lateral condyle of tibia
› Action: both heads - flexion and lateral rotation of the knee; long head - extension, adduction and
lateral rotation of the hip
Semitendinosus
› Origin: ischial tuberosity
› Insertion: medial tibia, inferior to condyle
› Action: flexion, medial rotation of the knee; extension, adduction and medial rotation of the hip
Semimembranosus
› Origin: ischial tuberosity
› Insertion: posterior, medial tibia, inferior to condyle
› Action: flexion and medial rotation of the knee; extension, adduction and medial rotation of the
hip
Note: the preceding three muscles are referred to as the hamstrings
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33. Hip & Knee
Sartorius
› Origin: anterior superior iliac spine
› Insertion: anterior, medial tibia, inferior to condyle
› Action: flexion, lateral rotation and abduction of the hip; flexion and medial rotation of the
knee
Gracilis
› Origin: anterior symphysis pubis, inferior ramus of pubis
› Insertion: anterior, medial tibia, inferior to condyle
› Action: adduction and medial rotation of the hip; flexion and medial rotation of the knee
Note: the sartorius, gracilis and semitendinosus all insert at the pes anserinas
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34. Knee & Ankle
Soleus
› Origin: Origin – posterior surface of head and shaft of fibula; medial border of tibia
› Insertion: calcaneus via Achilles tendon (common calcaneal tendon)
› Action: plantar flexion of the ankle
Gastrocnemius
› Origin: lateral head - lateral condyle of femur; medial head - medial condyle of femur
› Insertion: calcaneus via Achilles tendon (common calcaneal tendon)
› Action: plantar flexion of the ankle, flexion of the knee
Popliteus
› Origin: lateral condyle of femur
› Insertion: posterior, medial tibia
› Action: medial rotation of the tibia on fixed femur; lateral rotation of femur on fixed tibia
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35. Knee & Ankle
Tibialis anterior
› Origin: lateral condyle and lateral surface of tibia
› Insertion: plantar surface of first metatarsal, medial plantar surface of first cuneiform
› Action: dorsiflexion of the ankle and inversion of the foot
Tibialis posterior
› Origin: lateral posterior tibia, medial surface of fibula
› Insertion: navicular, 3 cuneiforms and cuboid and 2nd, 3rd, and 4th metatarsals
› Action: plantar flexion of the ankle and inversion of the foot
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36. Knee & Ankle
Peroneus tertius
› Origin: distal half of anterior surface of fibula
› Insertion: dorsal surface of the base of 5th metatarsal
› Action: dorsiflexion of the ankle and eversion of the foot
Peroneus longus
› Origin: head and lateral surface of fibula
› Insertion: lateral margin of plantar surface of 1st cuneiform and base of 1st metatarsal
› Action: plantar flexion of ankle and eversion of the foot
Peroneus brevis
› Origin: distal portion of lateral surface of fibula
› Insertion: tuberosity of lateral side of base of 5th metatarsal
› Action: plantar flexion of the ankle and eversion of the foot
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37. Knee & Ankle
Extensor hallucis longus
› Origin: anterior surface of fibula
› Insertion: dorsal base of distal end of the hallux
› Action: extension of distal phalanx of 1st toe; aids in dorsiflexion of the ankle and inversion of the foot
Extensor digitorum longus
› Origin: lateral condyle of tibia, head and anterior surface of fibula
› Insertion: dorsal surfaces of bases of the middle and distal phalanges 2nd – 5th toes
› Action: extension of the lateral 4 toes, dorsiflexion of ankle and eversion of foot
Flexor hallucis longus
› Origin: distal posterior fibula
› Insertion: plantar surface of the base of distal phalanx of the hallux
› Action: flexion of the great toe; aids in plantar flexion of the ankle and inversion of the foot
Flexor digitorum longus
› Origin: posterior tibia
› Insertion: plantar surfaces of bases of distal phalanges of the second to fifth toes
› Action: flexion of the toes; plantar flexion of the ankle and inversion of the foot
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38. Shoulder
Deltoid – Anterior
› Origin: lateral portion of clavicle
› Insertion: deltoid tuberosity
› Action: abduction, flexion, horizontal adduction and medial rotation of the shoulder
Deltoid – Middle
› Origin: acromion process
› Insertion: deltoid tuberosity
› Action: abduction of the shoulder
Deltoid – Posterior
› Origin: spine of scapula
› Insertion: deltoid tuberosity
› Action: abduction, extension, horizontal abduction and lateral rotation of the shoulder
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39. Scapula
Trapezius (upper fibers)
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Origin: occipital protuberance, spinous process of C1 to C7, ligamentum nuchae
Insertion: lateral clavicle, acromion process
Action: elevation and upward rotation of the scapula, aids in retraction of the scapula
Reverse action: bilaterally – extension of cervical spine; unilaterally – lateral flexion of the
head and neck
to the same side, rotation to the opposite side
Trapezius (middle fibers)
› Origin: spinous process of T1 to T5
› Insertion: superior border spine of scapula, acromion process
› Action: retraction of the scapula; aids in elevation of the scapula
Trapezius (lower fibers)
› Origin: spinous process of T6 to T12
› Insertion: medial portion of spine of scapula
› Action: depression, retraction and upward rotation of the scapula
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40. Scapula
Levator Scapulae
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Origin: transverse process of C1 to C4
Insertion: superior angle of scapula (medial and upper portion)
Action: elevation and downward rotation of the scapula, aids in retraction of the scapula
Reverse Action: lateral flexion and slight rotation of the cervical spine to the same side
Rhomboid Major
› Origin: spinous process of T2 to T5
› Insertion: medial border of scapula, inferior to spine of scapula
› Action: retraction and elevation of the scapula, aids in downward rotation of the scapula
Rhomboid Minor
› Origin: spinous process of C7 and T1
› Insertion: medial border of scapula, superior to spine of scapula
› Action: retraction and elevation of the scapula, aids in downward rotation of the scapula
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41. Scapula
Serratus Anterior
› Origin: superior, lateral surface of ribs 1 to 8, 9
› Insertion: medial border, anterior (costal) surface of scapula
› Action: protraction and upward rotation of scapula, stabilization of scapula on rib cage
Pectoralis Minor
› Origin: anterior surface of ribs 3 to 5
› Insertion: coracoid process
› Action: depression and downward rotation of the scapula, anteriorly tips the scapula
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42. Rotator Cuff
Supraspinatus
› Origin: supraspinous fossa
› Insertion: superior portion of greater tuberosity
› Action: abduction of the humerus, stabilization of the humeral head in the glenoid fossa
Infraspinatus
› Origin: infraspinous fossa
› Insertion: posterior portion greater tubercle
› Action: lateral rotation of the shoulder, stabilization of the humeral head in the glenoid
fossa
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43. Rotator Cuff
Teres Minor
› Origin: lateral border of scapula
› Insertion: inferior aspect of greater tubercle
› Action: lateral rotation of the shoulder, stabilization of the humeral head in the glenoid
fossa
Subscapularis
› Origin: subscapular fossa
› Insertion: lesser tuberosity
› Action: medial rotation of the shoulder, stabilization of the humeral head in the glenoid
fossa
Note: the preceding four muscles are referred to as the rotator cuff
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44. Shoulder
Pectoralis Major – Sternal division
› Origin: sternum to rib 7
› Insertion: anterior, medial aspect of humerus, crest of greater tuberosity
› Action: flexion, adduction, medial rotation and horizontal adduction of the shoulder
Pectoralis Major – Clavicular division
› Origin: medial half of clavicle
› Insertion: anterior, medial aspect of humerus, crest of greater tuberosity
› Action: flexion, adduction, medial rotation and horizontal adduction of the shoulder
Coracobrachialis
› Origin: coracoid process
› Insertion: medial, surface of humerus, in line with deltoid tuberosity
› Action: flexion of the shoulder, horizontal adduction, adduction and medial rotation of the
humerus
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45. Shoulder
Latissmus Dorsi
› Origin: aponeurosis from spinous process T6 to L5, posterior iliac crest, posterior
sacrum, rib 9 to 12, inferior angle of scapula
› Insertion: anterior humerus, crest of lesser tuberosity
› Action: extension of the shoulder, adduction and medial rotation of the
humerus
Teres Major
› Origin: inferior angle, lateral border of scapula
› Insertion: anterior humerus, crest of lesser tuberosity
› Action: extension of the shoulder, adduction and medial rotation of the
humerus
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46. Shoulder & Elbow
Triceps Brachii
› Origin:
• Long head – infraglenoid tubercle of the scapula
• Lateral head – posterior humerus
• Medial Head – posterior humerus, inferior to lateral head
› Insertion: all heads – olecranon process of ulna
› Action: All heads – extension of the elbow; long head – extension and adduction of the
shoulder
Biceps Brachii
› Origin: Short head – coracoid process
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Long head – supraglenoid tubercle
› Insertion: both heads - radial tuberosity, bicipital aponeurosis
› Action: both heads - flexion of the elbow, supination of the forearm when flexed, flexion of
the shoulder
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47. Elbow & Forearm
Brachioradialis
› Origin: lateral supracondylar ridge of humerus
› Insertion: styloid process of radius
› Action: flexion of the elbow, aids in pronation and supination of the forearm
Brachialis
› Origin: distal half of anterior humerus
› Insertion: tuberosity and coronoid process of ulna
› Action: flexion of the elbow
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48. Deep spine
Multifidus
› Origin: sacrum, transverse process of L1 to T12 and the articular process of C4 to C7
› Insertion: spinous process of all vertebrae except C1 spanning 2 to 3 intervertebral spaces
› Action: stabilization of the spine; unilaterally – rotation of the spine to the opposite side.
lateral flexion of the spine to the same side; bilaterally – extension of the spine
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49. Posterior Spine
Semispinalis thoracis
› Origin: transverse process of T6 to T12
› Insertion: spinous process of C6 to T4
› Action: unilaterally – rotation of the spine to the opposite side;
bilaterally – extension of the spine
Semispinalis cervicis
› Origin: transverse process of T1 to T6
› Insertion: spinous process of C2 to C5
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the spine to the same side, rotation of the spine to
the opposite side; bilaterally – extension of the spine
Semispinalis capitis
› Origin: transverse process of C5 to T6
› Insertion: occipital bone
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the neck to the same side, rotation of the head and
neck to the opposite side; bilaterally – extension of the head and neck
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50. Posterior Spine
Iliocostalis lumborum
› Origin: thoracolumbar fascia from the sacrum to spinous process of T11 to L5
› Insertion: rib 6 to 12
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the spine to the same side;
bilaterally – extension of the spine
Iliocostalis thoracis
› Origin: rib 6 to 12
› Insertion: rib 1 to 6
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the spine to the same side;
bilaterally – extension of the spine
Iliocostalis cervicis
› Origin: rib 3 to 6
› Insertion: transverse process of C4 to C6
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the spine to the same side;
bilaterally – extension of the spine
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51. Posterior Spine
Longissimus thoracis
› Origin: thoracolumbar fascia on the lumbar spine
› Insertion: transverse process of T1 to T12 and rib 6 to 12
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the spine to the same side; bilaterally – extension of
the spine
Longissimus cervicis
› Origin: transverse process of T1 to T5
› Insertion: transverse process of C2 to C6
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the spine to the same side; bilaterally – extension of
the spine
Longissimus capitis
› Origin: transverse process of C4 to T5
› Insertion: mastoid process
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion and rotation of the head to the same side;
bilaterally – extension of the head and neck
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52. Posterior Spine
Quadratus lumborum
› Origin: posterior iliac crest
› Insertion: 12th rib and transverse process of L1 to L4
› Action: unilaterally – lateral flexion of the spine; bilaterally – aids in extension of the spine
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53. Exercise Analysis
Analyze the following exercises and describe:
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Plane of motion
Movement at all joints affected
Muscles involved
Type of contractions involved
Ab Prep
Breast Stroke (full)
Roll Up
Spine Stretch Forward
Sibe Bend
Side Kick
Side Leg Lift #1
Saw
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