Anatomy: Structures & Function of the Body

Cranial

towards head

Caudal

towards feet/tail

Posterior/Dorsal

backside

Anterior/Ventral

frontside

Proximal

towards the center of the body

Distal

away from the center of the body

Medial

towards the midline of the body

Lateral

away from the midline of the body

Superior

above a specific part

Inferior

below a specific part

Planes and Axis

used to describe all osteokinematic movements that can occur in a joint

Planes and Axis

its movement is perpendicular to the axis and parallel to the plane

Sagittal Plane

an imaginary vertical line that divides the body into left and right sides

Sagittal Plane

the plane for flexion and extension

Flexion

decreases the angle between bones (bending the joint)

Extension

increases the angle between bones (straightening the joint)

Sagittal Plane

movements that occur in this plane are strictly forward and backward

Sagittal Plane

movement in this plane always occurs by rotating around the (x) frontal axis

Frontal/Coronal Plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior sections

Abduction and Adduction

movements of the limbs and body parts in relation to the body's midline

Sagittal

Frontal/ Coronal

Abduction

moves a limb away from the midline (like lifting your arm to the side)

Adduction

moves a limb toward the midline (bringing it back down to your side)

Frontal/Coronal

a rotation around the (z) sagittal axis

Transversal/Horizontal Plane