Anatomical Positions and Body Planes

Superior

Indicates a position above or higher than another body part (Above or heading toward the head)

Example: The chest is superior to the abdomen. The shoulder is superior to the wrist. The knees are superior to the feet.

Inferior

Indicates a position below or lower than another body part. (Below or towards the feet 👇)

Example: The feet are inferior to the knee.

Anterior

On the front side of another body part. It refers to the front or forward-facing part of the body.

Example: The chest is anterior to the spine

Posterior

Back side or in back of another body part. Refers to the back or rearward-facing part of the body.

Example: The spine is posterior to the chest.

Medial

Middle or a position towards the midline of the body. Closer toward the midline of the body.

Example: The nose is medial to the eyes.

Lateral

Farther from the midline or toward the sides of the body.

Example: The ears are located laterally to the nose and eyes.

Proximal

In limbs, indicates a position closer to the point of attachment to the body trunk.

(Closer to the center of the body or nearer to the point of attachment).

Example: Shoulder joint is proximal to the wrist.

Distal

In limbs, indicates a position farther from the point of attachment to the body trunk. (Farther from the center of the body or farther from the point of attachment).

Example: The hand is distal to the elbow

Superficial

Indicates a position closer to the surface of the body.

Example: Skin is the outermost layer of the body

Deep

Indicates a position farther from the surface of the body

Example: Bones are located deep within the body.

Body Planes

B___ P_____ refer to imaginary flat surfaces that divide the body into sections or parts.

What are the three major body planes?

1. Coronal Plane - Divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. Divides the body into front and back potions.

2. Transverse Plane - Divides the body into Superior (upper) and Inferior (lower) sections.

3. Sagittal Plane - Imaginary plane parallel to the median plane (divides the body into left and right sides).

1. Coronal Plane

Coronal Plane divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections. Divides the body into front and back potions.

Transverse Plane

Transverse Plane - Divides the body into Superior (upper) and Inferior (lower) sections.

Sagittal Plane

Sagittal Plane - Imaginary plane parallel to the median plane (divides the body into left and right sides).

(Anatomical Terms of Movements)

Flexion

Any vertical plane that divides the body into Anterior (front) and Posterior (back) sections.

Extension

Increases (more linear) the angle and straightens the joint.

Abduction

Moving the limb or hand away laterally away from the body, or spreading the fingers or toes is abduction. 🖐🙆

Adduction

Brings the limb or hand toward or across the body or brings the fingers or toes together. (Opposite of abduction - )

✋🧍

Circumduction

The circular pattern of the movement of the limb, hand, or fingers.

Rotation

Rotation occurs within the vertebral column at a pivot or joint. Medial rotation brings the anterior surface toward the midline of the body while Lateral rotation brings the anterior surface away from the midline.

Pronation (Forearm)

Turning the palm + forearm backward!! 🤚🤚

Supination (Forearm)

Turning the palm forward !! ✋

Dorsiflexion (ankle-foot)

Bringin the top of the foot UP ⬆ 🦶 toward the shin. Lifting the front of the foot.

Plantar Flexion (ankle-foot)

Pointing the toe downward. Bringing the top of the foot away from the shin. ⬆ 🦶⬇