Introduction to Anatomic Terminologies and Body Movements

A collection of vocabulary flashcards defining anatomic positions, planes, directional terms, and joint movements based on the lecture.

Anatomical Position

A standard body posture where an individual is standing upright with head and eyes directed straight ahead, upper limbs at the sides and slightly away from the trunk, palms facing forward, thumbs pointing away from the body, lower limbs parallel, and feet flat on the ground facing forward.

Anatomic Planes

Imaginary slices through the body used in imaging.

Anatomic Sections

A slice of a 3D structure that has been cut.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body or organ vertically into right and left sides.

Coronal Plane

Also known as the frontal plane, a plane that divides the body or organ into an anterior (front) and posterior (back) portion.

Transverse Plane

Also known as a cross section, a plane that divides the body or organ horizontally into upper and lower portions.

White Matter

Brain structure component made up of axons.

Gray Matter

Brain structure component made up of cell bodies.

Anterior

Directional term describing the front of the body.

Posterior

Directional term describing the back of the body.

Superior

Directional term meaning above or higher.

Inferior

Directional term meaning below or lower.

Lateral

Directional term referring to a structure towards the side of the body.

Medial

Directional term referring to a structure towards the middle of the body.

Superficial

Directional term describing a structure closer to the surface.

Deep

Directional term describing a structure farther from the surface.

Extension

An angular movement that increases the angle between bones, limbs, or body parts.

Flexion

An angular movement that decreases the angle between bones, limbs, or body parts.

Abduction

Movement that moves a limb away from the midline.

Adduction

Movement that moves a limb toward the midline.

Rotation

Circular movement around its long axis.

Circumduction

A conical movement of a limb or body part where the distal end of the limb moves in a circle while the proximal end remains relatively stationary.

Pronation

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces posteriorly (downwards when the arm is flexed at 90 degrees).

Supination

Rotation of the forearm so the palm faces anteriorly (upwards when the arm is flexed at 90 degrees), returning to the anatomical position.

Dorsiflexion

Flexion at the ankle joint that moves the top of the foot (dorsum) towards the shin, decreasing the angle between the foot and the leg.

Plantarflexion

Flexion at the ankle joint that moves the sole of the foot (plantar surface) downwards, pointing the toes away from the leg.

Elevation

Lifting or moving a body part up.

Depression

Dropping or moving a body part down.

Protraction

Moving a body part forwards and out.

Retraction

Moving a body part backwards and in.