Anatomy of the Upper and Lower Extremities

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Anatomy of the Upper and Lower Extremities

Instructors: Shanta Kapadia

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8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

104 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

8 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

104 reviews

Intermediate level

Recommended experience

Flexible schedule

9 hours to complete

Learn at your own pace

98%

Most learners liked this course

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

5 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 8 modules in this course

This course has two main parts, one for the lower extremity and the other for the upper extremity. We will show how the various systems that supply and organize the limb control its function. There are a set of introductory lectures which will allow more experienced students to refresh their knowledge of the limbs and a guide to those with less experience. These lectures will be followed by detailed dissections of the extremities emphasizing locomotion for the lower extremities and hand positioning and function for the upper extremities.

What's included

1 video3 readings

The following videos discuss the organization of the lower extremity covering the bones, movements, muscles, vessels, and nerves.

What's included

5 videos

This unit examines the structures of the proximal lower extremity from anterior, femoral triangle, medial, lateral and gluteal perspectives.

What's included

6 videos1 assignment1 discussion prompt1 plugin

6 videos Total 31 minutes

Anterior Thigh 3 minutes
Femoral Triangle 6 minutes
Medial Thigh 3 minutes
Lateral Thigh and Hip 6 minutes
Gluteal Region Part I 6 minutes
Gluteal Region Part II 6 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Proximal Lower Extremity 30 minutes

1 discussion prompt Total 10 minutes

Introduce Yourself! 10 minutes

1 plugin Total 15 minutes

Digital Practical Exam Proximal Lower Extremity (Drag and drop) 15 minutes

This unit examines the structures of the distal lower extremity in the posterior thigh, the popliteal region, knee, the compartments of the leg, and foot and ankle.

What's included

6 videos1 assignment1 plugin

In the following short videos we will discuss the organization of the upper extremity covering the bones, movements, muscles, vessels, and nerves. We will emphasize the importance of movements of the entire limb to place the hand in functional positions.

What's included

6 videos

This unit examines the structures of the shoulder from anterior, posterior superior and lateral perspectives with emphasis on scapula, rotator cuff and the unique aspects of the shoulder joint.

What's included

6 videos1 assignment1 plugin

6 videos Total 35 minutes

Bony Anatomy of the Shoulder 6 minutes
Exposure chest and shoulder musculature 3 minutes
Superficial Muscles 9 minutes
Posterior Shoulder 7 minutes
Superior Shoulder 5 minutes
Lateral Shoulder (Steps 14-16) 5 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Proximal Upper Extremity 30 minutes

1 plugin Total 15 minutes

Proximal Upper Extremity Digital Practical Exam 15 minutes

This unit examines the structures of the brachial plexus from nerve roots to trunks, divisions, cords and branches.

What's included

3 videos1 assignment1 plugin

This unit examines the structures of the distal upper extremity with a particular emphasis on the structures that comprise the unique facilities of the human hand.

What's included

5 videos1 reading1 assignment1 plugin

5 videos Total 29 minutes

Distal Upper Extremity Part 1 7 minutes
Distal Upper Extremity Part 2 (Steps 6-9) 6 minutes
Distal Upper Extremity Part 3 Guide (Steps 10-11) 3 minutes
Distal Upper Extremity Part 4, Hand (Steps 12-16) 7 minutes
Distal Upper Extremity Part 5, Hand Guide (Step 17) 6 minutes

1 reading Total 10 minutes

Congratulations 10 minutes

1 assignment Total 30 minutes

Distal Upper Extremity 30 minutes

1 plugin Total 15 minutes

Distal Upper Extremity Digital Practical Exam 15 minutes

Instructors

Instructor ratings

(24 ratings)

Shanta Kapadia

Yale University

4 Courses 138,453 learners

William B. Stewart

Yale University

4 Courses 170,666 learners

Charles Duncan

Yale University

4 Courses 170,666 learners

Offered by

Yale University

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Reviewed on Dec 22, 2025

What an awesome easy to understand high quality anatomy course. Thank you so much

Reviewed on May 29, 2023

Thank you so much Yale university and Coursera! Such an incredible course.

Reviewed on May 1, 2022

it was very informative and have done good work with dissection

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