Integrated Human Anatomy and Functional Anatomy Laboratory

As part of my undergraduate preparation for graduate studies in physical therapy, I took part in an intensive on-campus practicum combining Human Anatomy and Functional Anatomy. This experience blended classical anatomical study with dynamic, movement-based analysis, creating a bridge between structure and clinical function.

Active, Team-Based Investigation
In small teams we planned, measured, and recorded joint mechanics and muscle activation in real time. Using skeleton models, resistance bands, and exercise balls, we calculated forces and angles—translating textbook biomechanics into visible, measurable movement. The photo captures one of our sessions: students in bright orange lab shirts diagramming torque equations on the whiteboard while others palpated and taped ankles to observe functional changes.

From Structure to Function
Rather than memorizing names of bones and muscles, we asked how these structures work together during activity—for example, how fascia and muscle layers coordinate during dorsiflexion or how joint alignment affects load distribution. We practiced assessment techniques, manual testing, and corrective taping, always connecting each observation to rehabilitation and injury-prevention strategies used in physical therapy.

Clinical Perspective and Professional Growth
Handling real skeletal specimens, applying kinesiology tape, and presenting data to peers helped me think like a clinician: observing, hypothesizing, testing, and adjusting. It also strengthened communication skills and professional confidence—qualities essential for patient education and interprofessional collaboration.

Preparing for a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program
By completing this practicum and earning a certificate of completion, I gained a solid, practice-oriented understanding of the human body in motion. This foundation will directly support advanced coursework and clinical internships in a Doctor of Physical Therapy program, where anatomy, biomechanics, and hands-on problem solving come together every day.