4.1 Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous & Circulatory Systems of the Head, Face, Hands & Feet

4.1 Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous & Circulatory Systems of the Head, Face, Hands & Feet

State Board Essential: State licensing examinations test human anatomy to ensure practitioners perform services—such as chemical applications, facial massage, manicures, and pedicures—without injuring underlying skeletal, muscular, nervous, or vascular structures.

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1. Skeletal System: Cranium, Face, Neck & Extremities

The adult human skeleton comprises 206 bones that provide structural support, anchor muscles, and protect organs.

Bones of the Cranium (8 Bones)

The cranium encloses and protects the brain:

• Occipital Bone (1): Forms the back and base of the skull above the nape.
• Parietal Bones (2): Form the sides and crown (top) of the cranium.
• Frontal Bone (1): Forms the forehead and brow ridge.
• Temporal Bones (2): Form the lateral sides of the skull in the ear region.
• Ethmoid Bone (1): Light, spongy bone between eye sockets forming the nasal roof.
• Sphenoid Bone (1): Butterfly-shaped bone joining all 8 cranial bones together.

Bones of the Face (14 Bones)

• Nasal Bones (2): Form the bridge of the nose.
• Lacrimal Bones (2): Smallest, most fragile facial bones at the front inner eye socket.
• Zygomatic / Malar Bones (2): Form the cheekbones and outer eye margins.
• Maxillae (2): Paired bones forming the upper jaw.
• Mandible (1): Lower jawbone; largest and strongest bone of the face, articulating with temporal bones at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
• Turbinal Bones (2): Thin spongy layers along outer nasal walls.
• Palatine Bones (2): Form the hard palate (roof of the mouth).
• Vomer (1): Flat bone forming the nasal septum.

Bones of the Neck & Extremities

• Neck: Cervical vertebrae (7 top spinal vertebrae C1–C7) and the Hyoid bone (U-shaped bone at the base of the tongue).
• Arm and Hand: Humerus (uppermost, largest arm bone), Ulna (inner forearm bone on pinky side), Radius (outer forearm bone on thumb side), Carpus (8 bones of the wrist), Metacarpus (5 bones of the palm), and Phalanges (14 bones of the digits; 3 per finger, 2 in thumb).
• Leg and Foot: Femur (longest, heaviest bone in the body), Patella (kneecap), Tibia (larger medial shinbone), Fibula (slender lateral leg bone), Tarsus (7 bones of the ankle, including the calcaneus/heel), Metatarsus (5 bones of the instep), and Phalanges (14 bones of the toes).

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2. Muscular System: Histology, Attachments & Direction of Massage

Myology covers muscles, which comprise 40% to 50% of body weight.

Muscle Tissue Types & Structural Components

• Striated (Skeletal / Voluntary): Controlled by conscious will; displays transverse stripes.
• Non-Striated (Smooth / Involuntary): Operates automatically in internal organs and blood vessels.
• Cardiac: Involuntary, striated muscle found exclusively in the heart.
• Muscle Anatomy: Origin (fixed skeletal attachment), Belly (middle contractile portion), and Insertion (movable attachment).

Cardinal Rule of Massage: Pressure must always be directed from INSERTION to ORIGIN (toward the fixed bone attachment). Massaging backward stretches elastic fibers and causes tissue sagging.

Scalp, Facial & Neck Muscles

• Epicranius (Occipitofrontalis): Scalp muscle comprising the frontalis (raises eyebrows, wrinkles forehead horizontally) and occipitalis (draws scalp backward), joined by the epicranial aponeurosis.
• Orbicularis Oculi: Ring muscle surrounding the eye orbit; closes the eyelids.
• Corrugator: Under eyebrows; draws brows down and inward, producing vertical forehead wrinkles.
• Procerus: Covers the bridge of the nose; depresses eyebrows and wrinkles nose transversely.
• Orbicularis Oris: Flat circular band around mouth; puckers and compresses lips.
• Masseter & Temporalis: Chewing muscles (mastication); elevate and close the mandible.
• Platysma: Broad sheet extending from chest to chin; depresses lower jaw and lip.
• Sternocleidomastoideus (SCM): Extends from sternum/clavicle to mastoid process; flexes and rotates head.
• Trapezius: Covers back of neck and upper trunk; elevates shoulders and stabilizes scapula.

Forearm and Hand Muscles

• Pronator: Turns hand inward so palm faces downward.
• Supinator: Turns hand outward so palm faces upward.
• Flexors: Bend wrist and fingers.
• Extensors: Straighten wrist and fingers.
• Abductors: Separate fingers away from hand's center.
• Adductors: Draw fingers together toward hand's center.

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3. Nervous System: Divisions & Cranial Nerves

Neurology governs bodily sensations and movements:

• Divisions: Central Nervous System (CNS) (brain and spinal cord; voluntary control), Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) (12 cranial and 31 spinal nerve pairs connecting CNS to body), and Autonomic Nervous System (ANS) (involuntary regulation of glands and organs).
• Nerve Types: Sensory (afferent) transmit impulses from receptors to CNS; Motor (efferent) transmit impulses from CNS to muscles/glands.

Key Cranial Nerves in Cosmetology

1. Fifth Cranial Nerve (Trigeminal / Trifacial): Chief sensory nerve of face and motor nerve for chewing. Divides into 3 branches: ophthalmic (forehead/eyes), maxillary (upper jaw/cheeks), and mandibular (lower jaw/chin and mastication muscles).
2. Seventh Cranial Nerve (Facial Nerve): Chief motor nerve of the face. Innervates all muscles of facial expression, scalp, and platysma.
3. Eleventh Cranial Nerve (Accessory Nerve): Motor nerve controlling the sternocleidomastoideus and trapezius muscles; stimulated during neck and shoulder massage.

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4. Circulatory & Lymphatic Systems

Angiology covers blood and lymph circulation:

• Vessels: Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from heart under high pressure; veins return deoxygenated blood using one-way valves; capillaries enable nutrient and gas exchange.
• Blood Components: Erythrocytes (RBCs) carry oxygen via hemoglobin; Leukocytes (WBCs) destroy bacteria; Thrombocytes (platelets) clot blood; Plasma is the straw-colored fluid matrix (90% water).
• Head & Neck Arteries: Left and right common carotid arteries divide into:
  • Internal Carotid Artery: Supplies brain, eye sockets, and forehead.
  • External Carotid Artery: Supplies scalp, face, and neck. Major branches include the facial artery (external maxillary), superficial temporal, occipital, and posterior auricular arteries.
• Venous & Lymphatic Return: Blood drains via internal and external jugular veins. The lymphatic system (lymph fluid, vessels, and nodes like submandibular and cervical chains) filters pathogens and reduces post-service facial edema.

Scenario Breakdown: Clinical Massage Application

During scalp and neck massage, the practitioner stimulates cranial nerves VII and XI while massaging strictly from muscle insertion to origin. Strokes support venous return toward the jugular veins, avoiding forceful pressure over the carotid artery and delicate hyoid bone.