General Anatomy
& Physiology

The Science Behind Every Service

A confident diverse beauty school student studying o

Foundations | All Programs | State Board Exam Aligned

Shear Genius Society Curriculum

Every service you perform

Touches the Human Body

Understanding anatomy keeps clients safe.

Massage, chemical services, waxing, nail care, shaving — all require anatomy knowledge.

What You'll Learn

Describe cell structure and how cells reproduce
Identify the four types of body tissue
Name all 11 body systems and their functions
Locate bones of the skull, arms, hands, legs, and feet

What You'll Learn

continued

Identify key muscles used during massage services
Trace blood flow through arteries and veins
Explain how the nervous system relates to beauty services
Apply anatomy knowledge to State Board exam questions

SECTION 01

Cells & Tissues

The Building Blocks of the Human Body

Cell Structure

THE BASIC UNIT OF ALL LIVING THINGS

Cell Membrane

Outer boundary — controls what enters and exits the cell

Cytoplasm

Gel-like fluid inside the cell — where chemical reactions occur

Nucleus

Control center — contains DNA and directs all cell activities

Mitochondria

Powerhouses — produce energy (ATP) for cell function

Cell Metabolism

HOW CELLS GROW, REPAIR & REPRODUCE

Metabolism is the sum of all chemical processes in a living cell.

ANABOLISM

Building up — cells absorb nutrients to grow and repair tissue

Think: constructing new skin, hair, and nail cells

CATABOLISM

Breaking down — cells release energy from nutrients

Think: energy for muscle movement and body heat

MITOSIS

Cell division — one cell splits into two identical daughter cells

How the body replaces old or damaged cells

Four Types of Body Tissue

EPITHELIAL

Covers and protects body surfaces. Skin, lining of organs, glands.

Skin is the #1 example

CONNECTIVE

Supports, connects, and binds body structures together. Bone, blood, cartilage.

Most abundant tissue

MUSCLE

Contracts to produce movement. Three types: skeletal, smooth, cardiac.

Over 600 muscles

NERVE

Carries electrical messages throughout the body. Brain, spinal cord, nerves.

Controls all senses

SECTION 02

Body Systems Overview

11 Systems Working Together to Keep the Body Alive

11 Body Systems

PART 1 — SYSTEMS 1-6

Skeletal

206 bones — framework, protection, movement

Muscular

600+ muscles — movement, posture, heat production

Nervous

Brain, spinal cord, nerves — communication & control

Circulatory

Heart, blood vessels — transports oxygen & nutrients

Lymphatic / Immune

Defends against disease — filters waste, fights infection

Endocrine

Glands & hormones — regulates growth, metabolism, mood

11 Body Systems

PART 2 — SYSTEMS 7-11

Digestive

Breaks down food into nutrients the body can absorb

Excretory

Eliminates waste — kidneys, liver, skin, lungs, large intestine

Respiratory

Brings oxygen in, removes carbon dioxide out

Reproductive

Produces offspring — also affects skin, hair, and hormones

Integumentary

Skin, hair, nails — the system you work with EVERY day

BOARD TIP: The integumentary system (skin, hair, nails) is the focus of your career!

Why Beauty Pros Need Anatomy

DIRECT CONNECTIONS TO YOUR SERVICES

SKELETAL

Skull & hand bones guide massage pressure and facial treatments

MUSCULAR

Facial & hand muscles are the targets of massage services

CIRCULATORY

Blood supply to scalp, hands, and feet affects service results

NERVOUS

Nerves in face, hands, and feet — sensitivity during every service

SECTION 03

The Skeletal System

206 Bones • Framework • Protection • Movement

The Skeletal System

FRAMEWORK OF THE HUMAN BODY

The adult human skeleton has 206 bones.

SUPPORT

Provides the body's framework and shape

PROTECTION

Shields vital organs — skull protects the brain, ribs protect the heart

MOVEMENT

Bones work with muscles at joints to create motion

MINERAL STORAGE

Stores calcium and phosphorus for the body

BLOOD CELL PRODUCTION

Red bone marrow produces red and white blood cells

Bones of the Skull

KEY BONES FOR BEAUTY SERVICES

Frontal

Forehead bone — forms the front of the skull

Parietal (2)

Top and sides of the head — paired bones

Temporal (2)

Sides of the head — above and around the ears

Occipital

Back of the skull — base of the cranium

Mandible

Lower jawbone — the only movable bone in the skull

Maxillae (2)

Upper jawbones — form the upper jaw and nose floor

Bones of the Arm & Hand

ESSENTIAL FOR NAIL AND MASSAGE SERVICES

Humerus

Upper arm bone — shoulder to elbow

Radius

Forearm — thumb side (lateral)

Ulna

Forearm — pinky side (medial)

Carpals (8)

Wrist bones — 8 small bones forming the wrist joint

Metacarpals (5)

Palm bones — 5 bones forming the body of the hand

Phalanges (14)

Finger bones — 3 per finger, 2 in the thumb

Bones of the Leg & Foot

ESSENTIAL FOR PEDICURE & FOOT MASSAGE

Femur

Thigh bone — the longest and strongest bone in the body

Tibia

Shinbone — larger bone of the lower leg (medial)

Fibula

Calf bone — smaller bone of the lower leg (lateral)

Tarsals (7)

Ankle bones — 7 bones including the heel (calcaneus)

Metatarsals (5)

Foot bones — 5 bones forming the body of the foot

Phalanges (14)

Toe bones — 3 per toe, 2 in the big toe

BOARD TIP: Know the difference between carpals (wrist) and tarsals (ankle)!

SECTION 04

The Muscular System

3 Muscle Types • Facial Muscles • Arm & Hand Muscles

Three Types of Muscle Tissue

SKELETAL (Striated)

Attached to bones. Voluntary — you control it. Responsible for all body movement.

Example: biceps, facial muscles

SMOOTH (Non-Striated)

Found in organs, blood vessels, and digestive tract. Involuntary — works automatically.

Example: stomach walls, arteries

CARDIAC

Found ONLY in the heart. Involuntary — beats automatically, never tires. Striated but involuntary.

Pumps blood 24/7

Facial Muscles for Massage

KEY MUSCLES BEAUTY PROS MUST KNOW

Frontalis

Forehead — raises the eyebrows

Orbicularis Oculi

Surrounds the eye — closes and squints the eye

Orbicularis Oris

Surrounds the mouth — puckers and shapes the lips

Masseter

Jaw muscle — one of the strongest muscles, closes the jaw

Sternocleidomastoid

Side of neck — rotates and flexes the head

Arm & Hand Muscles

IMPORTANT FOR HAND & ARM MASSAGE SERVICES

Biceps

Front of upper arm — flexes the forearm (bends the elbow)

Triceps

Back of upper arm — extends the forearm (straightens the elbow)

Pronator

Inner forearm — rotates the forearm and hand downward

Supinator

Outer forearm — rotates the forearm and hand upward

Thenar Group

Base of the thumb — controls thumb movement and grip

Why Muscles Matter in Services

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Every massage movement targets specific muscles.

Facial Massage

Work the frontalis, orbicularis oculi, and masseter to relieve tension

Scalp Massage

Target the occipitalis and temporalis for relaxation and blood flow

Hand Massage

Knead the thenar and hypothenar muscles to reduce client fatigue

Arm Massage

Use effleurage along the biceps and forearm extensors

SECTION 05

The Circulatory System

Heart • Arteries • Veins • Capillaries • Blood Supply

Heart & Blood Vessels

THE BODY'S TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

The heart pumps blood through 60,000+ miles of blood vessels.

ARTERIES

Carry oxygen-rich blood AWAY from the heart to the body.

Thick, muscular walls. Pulse = arterial pressure

VEINS

Carry oxygen-poor blood BACK to the heart from the body.

Thinner walls with valves. Prevent backflow

CAPILLARIES

Tiny, thin-walled vessels that connect arteries to veins.

Where gas exchange happens at tissue level

Blood Supply to the Head & Face

ARTERIES RELEVANT TO SERVICES

Common Carotid

Main artery supplying the head and neck — splits into internal and external

External Carotid

Supplies the face, scalp, and neck — branches you can feel

Facial Artery

Supplies the lower face, mouth, and nose area

Superficial Temporal

Supplies the side of the face, forehead, and scalp above the ear

Occipital Artery

Supplies the back of the head and scalp

Blood Supply to Extremities

ARMS, HANDS, LEGS & FEET

Arms & Hands

Brachial artery — main artery of the upper arm
Radial artery — wrist (thumb side) — pulse point
Ulnar artery — wrist (pinky side)
Digital arteries — supply each finger

Legs & Feet

Femoral artery — main artery of the thigh
Popliteal artery — behind the knee
Tibial arteries — lower leg supply
Dorsalis pedis — top of the foot — pulse point

Lymphatic System Basics

THE BODY'S DRAINAGE AND DEFENSE NETWORK

Works alongside the circulatory system to protect the body.

LYMPH

Clear fluid that carries waste and immune cells through lymph vessels

LYMPH NODES

Filter harmful substances — swell when fighting infection

KEY LOCATIONS

Neck, underarm (axillary), and groin (inguinal) — near service areas

WHY IT MATTERS

Massage can stimulate lymph flow — always stroke TOWARD lymph nodes

SECTION 06

The Nervous System

CNS • PNS • Cranial Nerves • Digital Nerves

Central vs. Peripheral

TWO DIVISIONS OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)

Brain — command center of the body
Spinal cord — message highway
Processes all sensory information
Controls voluntary & involuntary actions

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)

Cranial nerves (12 pairs) — face & head
Spinal nerves (31 pairs) — body
Carries messages to/from the CNS
Includes sensory & motor nerves

Sensory vs. Motor Nerves

TWO TYPES OF NERVE FUNCTION

All nerve signals are either incoming (sensory) or outgoing (motor).

SENSORY NERVES

Also called: Afferent Nerves

Carry messages TO the brain
Detect touch, pressure, pain, heat, cold
Why clients feel your services

MOTOR NERVES

Also called: Efferent Nerves

Carry messages FROM the brain
Control muscle movement
Why clients can move during services

Key Nerves — Face & Head

CRANIAL NERVES AFFECTING BEAUTY SERVICES

Trigeminal (V)

Largest cranial nerve — controls sensation in face and chewing muscles

Three branches: ophthalmic, maxillary, mandibular

Facial (VII)

Controls facial expressions — the muscles you massage

Also controls taste on front 2/3 of tongue

Accessory (XI)

Controls the sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles

Relevant for neck and shoulder massage

Cervical Nerves

Nerves of the neck — affect the scalp, neck, and ear area

Auricular nerve, cutaneous colli nerve

Key Nerves — Hands & Feet

NERVES RELEVANT TO NAIL & MASSAGE SERVICES

Median Nerve

Supplies the palm, thumb, index, and middle fingers

Ulnar Nerve

Supplies the ring and pinky fingers — the 'funny bone' nerve

Radial Nerve

Supplies the back of the hand and wrist extensors

Digital Nerves

Tiny nerves running along each finger and toe — extreme sensitivity

Tibial Nerve

Supplies the sole of the foot — key nerve for pedicure services

BOARD TIP: The digital nerves explain why nail services require a gentle touch!

Why the Nervous System Matters

DIRECT IMPACT ON EVERY SERVICE

Pain & Sensitivity

You must understand nerve locations to avoid causing client pain

Massage Pressure

Nerve-rich areas require lighter touch — digital nerves, temple area

Chemical Sensitivity

Nerves detect burning from chemical services — watch for reactions

Contraindications

Nerve damage (neuropathy) changes how clients feel your service

Relaxation Response

Proper massage technique activates the parasympathetic nervous system

Key Terms Review

PART 1

Anatomy

The study of the structure of the body and its parts

Physiology

The study of the functions of the body and its parts

Histology

The study of the structure and function of tissues

Mitosis

Cell division — one cell divides into two identical cells

Anabolism

Building up — cells absorb nutrients to grow and repair

Key Terms Review

PART 2

Catabolism

Breaking down — cells release energy from nutrients

Phalanges

Finger and toe bones (14 in each hand and foot)

Trigeminal Nerve

Largest cranial nerve — controls facial sensation

Efferent Nerves

Motor nerves — carry messages FROM the brain to muscles

Afferent Nerves

Sensory nerves — carry messages TO the brain from senses

Board Exam Tips

GENERAL ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY EDITION

Know ALL 11 body systems and their primary functions
Memorize the bones of the skull, hand/arm, and foot/leg
Understand the difference between arteries and veins
Know sensory (afferent) vs. motor (efferent) nerves
The trigeminal nerve is the MOST tested cranial nerve

Anatomy questions appear on EVERY version of the State Board written exam!

Q1

What is the basic unit of all living things?

A) Tissue
B) Organ
C) Cell
D) System

Click to reveal answer

Q2

Which type of tissue covers and protects body surfaces?

A) Connective
B) Epithelial
C) Nerve
D) Muscle

Click to reveal answer

Q3

How many bones are in the adult human body?

A) 106
B) 156
C) 206
D) 256

Click to reveal answer

Q4

Which bone is the only movable bone in the skull?

A) Frontal
B) Temporal
C) Occipital
D) Mandible

Click to reveal answer

Q5

What are the three types of muscle tissue?

A) Skeletal, smooth, cardiac
B) Voluntary, involuntary, mixed
C) Fast, slow, medium
D) Striated, non-striated, semi-striated

Click to reveal answer

Q6

Which blood vessels carry oxygen-rich blood AWAY from the heart?

A) Veins
B) Capillaries
C) Arteries
D) Lymph vessels

Click to reveal answer

Q7

The largest cranial nerve that controls facial sensation is the:

A) Facial nerve (VII)
B) Trigeminal nerve (V)
C) Accessory nerve (XI)
D) Cervical nerve

Click to reveal answer

Q8

Sensory (afferent) nerves carry messages:

A) From the brain to muscles
B) Only within the brain
C) To the brain from the senses
D) Between muscles only

Click to reveal answer

General Anatomy
& Physiology

Chapter Complete

sheargeniussociety.com

General Anatomy& Physiology

Every service you perform

Touches the Human Body

Understanding anatomy keeps clients safe.

What You'll Learn

What You'll Learn

Cells & Tissues

Cell Structure

Cell Metabolism

ANABOLISM

CATABOLISM

MITOSIS

Four Types of Body Tissue

EPITHELIAL

CONNECTIVE

MUSCLE

NERVE

Body Systems Overview

11 Body Systems

11 Body Systems

Why Beauty Pros Need Anatomy

SKELETAL

MUSCULAR

CIRCULATORY

NERVOUS

The Skeletal System

The Skeletal System

Bones of the Skull

Bones of the Arm & Hand

Bones of the Leg & Foot

The Muscular System

Three Types of Muscle Tissue

SKELETAL (Striated)

SMOOTH (Non-Striated)

CARDIAC

Facial Muscles for Massage

Arm & Hand Muscles

Why Muscles Matter in Services

Facial Massage

Scalp Massage

Hand Massage

Arm Massage

The Circulatory System

Heart & Blood Vessels

ARTERIES

VEINS

CAPILLARIES

Blood Supply to the Head & Face

Blood Supply to Extremities

Lymphatic System Basics

LYMPH

LYMPH NODES

KEY LOCATIONS

WHY IT MATTERS

The Nervous System

Central vs. Peripheral

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)

PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (PNS)

Sensory vs. Motor Nerves

SENSORY NERVES

MOTOR NERVES

Key Nerves — Face & Head

Trigeminal (V)

Facial (VII)

Accessory (XI)

Cervical Nerves

Key Nerves — Hands & Feet

Why the Nervous System Matters

Key Terms Review

Key Terms Review

Board Exam Tips

General Anatomy& Physiology

General Anatomy
& Physiology

General Anatomy
& Physiology