Sports Med Standard anatomical positions and standard joint motions

The Anatomical Position

Standing, hands at sides, palms forward, toes forward

Anterior

Positioned on or toward the front of the body

Posterior/Dorsal

Positioned on or toward the back of the body

Superior

Positioned above an identified reference point

Inferior

Positioned below an identified reference point

Distal

Positioned farthest from the center of the body, or point of reference (Arms and Legs ONLY)

Proximal

Positioned close to the center of the body, or point of reference (Arms and Legs ONLY)

Medial

Relatively closer to the midline of the body

Lateral

Relatively farther away from midline of the body

Contralateral

On the opposite side of the body

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body

Plantar(foot)

Bottom side of foot

Dorsal(foot)

Top of foot

Palmar (hand)

palmside of hand

Dorsal(hand)

back/top of hand

Pronation

Feet roll in, bottom out

Supination

Feet roll out, bottom in

Valgus

Outside energy moving toward the midline of the body

Varus

Inside energy moving out

Flexion

Decreases the angle of a joint

Extension

Straightening of a joint

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body

Inversion

Heelbone moves medially/bottom of foot inward

Eversion

Heelbone moves laterally/bottom of foot out

Internal rotation

Rotation of a joint toward the middle of the body.

external rotation

Rotation of a joint away from the middle of the body.