Anatomy: Directional Terms, Regional Terms, Planes, Axes, and Movements

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering directional terms, body regions, planes, axes, and anatomical joint movements.

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position in anatomy where a person is standing, facing forward, arms down at sides, palms facing forward, and legs neutral with toes forward.

Superior

Directional term meaning further up on the body.

Inferior

Directional term meaning further down on the body.

Cranial

Directional term meaning towards the skull.

Caudal

Directional term meaning towards the tail (coccyx).

Cephalic

Directional term meaning towards the head (or referring to the entire head).

Rostral

Directional term meaning towards the nose; often reserved for neurological structures.

Ventral

Directional term meaning towards the belly.

Dorsal

Directional term meaning towards the back (also used for top of foot or back of hand).

Anterior

Directional term meaning towards the front.

Posterior

Directional term meaning towards the back.

Medial

Directional term meaning towards the midline.

Lateral

Directional term meaning away from the midline.

Internal

Directional term meaning toward the inside.

External

Directional term meaning toward the outside.

Superficial

Directional term meaning toward the surface.

Deep / Profundus

Directional term meaning away from the surface.

Proximal

Directional term meaning toward the center.

Distal

Directional term meaning away from the center.

Plantar

Directional term meaning toward the sole or bottom of the foot.

Palmar

Directional term meaning toward the palm of the hand.

Occipital Region

Regional term referring to the back/base of the head.

Cervical Region

Regional term referring to the neck.

Mandibular Region

Regional term referring to the jaw/jawline.

Supraclavicular Region

Regional term referring to the area above the clavicles.

Pectoral Region

Regional term referring to the chest.

Umbilical Region

Regional term referring to the area around the umbilicus, belly button, or navel.

Inguinal Region

Regional term referring to the hip crease.

Pubic Region

Regional term referring to the pubis.

Thoracic Region

Regional term referring to the midback.

Lumbar Region

Regional term referring to the lower back.

Sacral Region

Regional term referring to the sacrum.

Acromial Region

Regional term referring to the shoulder, specifically the "point" of the shoulder over the acromion.

Scapular Region

Regional term referring to the region over the scapula.

Brachial Region

Regional term referring to the upper arm.

Cubital Region

Regional term referring to the elbow.

Antecubital Region

Regional term referring to the front of the elbow.

Antebrachial Region

Regional term referring to the lower arm or forearm.

Carpal Region

Regional term referring to the wrist.

Manual Region

Regional term referring to the entire hand.

Pollux

Regional term referring specifically to the thumb.

Pelvic Region

Regional term referring to the area around the SI joint and ilium.

Gluteal Region

Regional term referring to the area over the glutes and gluteus maximus.

Femoral Region

Regional term referring to the thigh.

Patellar Region

Regional term referring to the kneecap.

Popliteal Region

Regional term referring to the back of the knee.

Crural Region

Regional term referring to the anterior lower leg or shin.

Sural Region

Regional term referring to the posterior lower leg or calf.

Tarsal Region

Regional term referring to the ankle.

Pedal Region

Regional term referring to the entire foot.

Calcaneal Region

Regional term referring to the heel.

Hallux

Regional term referring to the big/great toe.

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

A cardinal plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior portions.

Transverse Plane (Horizontal Plane)

A cardinal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior portions.

Sagittal Plane

A cardinal plane that divides the body into right and left portions.

Midsagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Parasagittal Plane

A plane that divides the body into unequal right and left portions.

Oblique Plane

A plane that divides the body at an angle.

Longitudinal Axis

An axis perpendicular to the transverse plane that permits rotational movement.

Frontal Axis

An axis perpendicular to the sagittal plane that permits flexion and extension movements.

Sagittal Axis

An axis perpendicular to the frontal plane that permits lateral flexion, adduction, and abduction movements.

Gliding Movement

The simplest type of movement where two bone surfaces slide over each other.

Flexion

An angular movement in the sagittal plane around the frontal axis that decreases the angle between two bones.

Extension

An angular movement in the sagittal plane around the frontal axis that increases the angle between two bones.

Plantar Flexion

Movement of the foot in the sagittal plane involving moving the sole of the foot down or pointing toes.

Dorsiflexion

Movement of the foot in the sagittal plane involving moving the dorsum of the foot up or heel walking.

Abduction

An angular movement in the frontal plane around the sagittal axis moving a body part away from the midline.

Adduction

An angular movement in the frontal plane around the sagittal axis moving a body part toward the midline.

Lateral Flexion

Side bending of the body or spine in the frontal plane around the sagittal axis.

Radial Deviation

Wrist movement in the frontal plane bending towards the thumb-side.

Ulnar Deviation

Wrist movement in the frontal plane bending towards the pinky-side.

Eversion

Foot movement in the frontal plane where the sole of the foot turns outward.

Inversion

Foot movement in the frontal plane where the sole of the foot turns inward.

Circumduction

A compound movement moving a limb in a circle or cone shape, combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Supination

Rotational movement in the transverse plane around the longitudinal axis that rotates the forearm anteriorly.

Pronation

Rotational movement in the transverse plane around the longitudinal axis that rotates the forearm posteriorly.

Horizontal Abduction

Movement of a flexed hip or shoulder in the transverse plane away from the midline.

Horizontal Adduction

Movement of a flexed hip or shoulder in the transverse plane toward the midline.

Protraction

Special movement involving an anterior glide.

Retraction

Special movement involving a posterior glide.

Elevation

Special movement involving a superior glide.

Depression

Special movement involving an inferior glide.

Opposition

Special movement bringing the thumb and fingertips together.

Reposition

Special movement moving the thumb and fingertips apart back to neutral.