Areas of endangerment

A brief discussion of the Areas of Endangerment of the body for Wellness Massage classes

1. AREAS OF ENDANGERMENT
By: Charisse I. Ebonite, Teacher, Ramon Magsaysay High School-Manila

Massage being a therapeutic manipulation of the muscles of the body is the main
idea why massage is directly related to Anatomy. As defined also by the Merriam Webster
Dictionary, Anatomy is the art of separating the parts of an organism to ascertain their
position, relations, structure, and function. Meaning, we are to use anatomy to locate the
parts of the body which needs massage to either be relaxed or healed therapeutically.

Areas of Endangerment are parts of the body who are usually not being
massaged due to the presence of delicate portions such as nerves, arteries, veins, and
sometimes vital organs. In some cases, some of these areas can still be manipulated but
with extreme care and after proper training.
I. Endangerment Areas of the Neck
a. Inferior to the ear: this area has the facial nerve and carotid artery
b. Anterior triangle of the neck: this area is along the SCM, trachea and
mandible so it is also near to the carotid artery, jugular vein and vagus
nerve
c. Posterior triangle of the neck: along SCM, trapezius, and clavicle; areas
of concern are brachial plexus, subclavian artery, and jugular
brachiocephalic vein
TERMS:
• Anterior: in front or before another part
• Brachium: the arm of a person
• Cubital: the hollow part in front of the elbow
• Inferior: it is below a certain part
• Posterior: at the back of a certain part
• Popliteal: behind the knee
• SCM: Sternocleidomastoid muscle, a neck muscle connecting your sternum,
clavicle, and temporal bone
• Superior: at the top, above a certain part

2. SOURCE: happymednotes.com, posted October 2012,
http://happymednotes.blogspot.com/2012/10/approach-to-head-neck-lumps.html

II. Axilla
Known to be in the armpits, considered to be an endangerment area
because of the presence of the Axillary artery, ulnar nerve, and other
musculocutaneous nerves.

SOURCE: http://www.empalife.com/musculocutaneous-nerve-injury
Musculocutaneous Nerve Injuries

3. III. Abdomen
This contains the aorta at its middle which when manipulated may
cause aortic aneurysm.

SOURCE: https://valuablezero.wordpress.com/2013/02/11/abdominal-aorta/ Valuable
Zero, February 2013

IV. Femoral Triangle
This is in the upper human thigh. It appears to be a triangular
hollow on the inner upper human thigh especially when thighs are spread
apart. Considered to be an endangerment area because of the femoral
nerve, femoral artery, femoral vein, and great saphenous vein which when
injured may cause paralysis.

Source: MedicoApps (https://medicoapps.org/m-femoral-triangle/) & Dreamstime
(https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-illustration-vastus-medialis-muscle-anatomy-muscles-
isolated-white-d-illustration-image71504132)
V. Endangerment Areas of the Arm, Elbow and Knee
I. Medial Brachium and Cubital Fossa (Inside the Elbow)
Medial Brachium is said to be the upper arm as seen in the anterior
side of the body. It has series of nerves and arteries such as the ulnar
nerve, musculocutaneous nerve, brachial artery and basilic vein.
Meanwhile, Cubital fossa is the triangular hollow part at the anterior
side of the arm, or just at the opposite side of the elbow. Like the medial
brachium it contains the median nerve, brachial artery, bicep tendon
and radial nerve.

4. Source: http://www.empalife.com/musculocutaneous-nerve-injury, Musculocutaneous
Nerve Injury

2. Popliteal Fossa
Located at the posterior part (behind) the knee bordered by the
gastrocnemius nerve and hamstring. It is passed through by the
tibial nerve, common fibular nerve and popliteal artery and vein.

Source: https://teachmeanatomy.info/wp-content/uploads/Contents-of-the-Popliteal-
Fossa-TeachMeAnatomy.jpg

5. VI. Back (Kidney)
The lower back is an endangerment area due to the presence of the
hanging rib (12
th rib) that also encloses the kidneys and other internal
organs. It can also be noted that in the positioning of the kidneys the left
kidney is quite lower than of the right.

Source: https://opentextbc.ca/anatomyandphysiology/chapter/25-3-gross-anatomy-of-the-
kidney/