Studied by 7 people
Anatomical reference position
Erect standing position
Feet slightly separated
Arms hanging relaxed at the sides
Palms of hands facing forward
Importance of anatomical position
It's important because it's what we refer back to when looking at body movement
Superior
(cranial) Closer to the head
Inferior
(caudal) farther from the head
Anterior
(ventral) toward the front
Posterior
(dorsal) toward the back
Medial
towards the midline
Lateral
away from the midline
Proximal
closer to the trunk
only for limbs
Distal
away from the trunk
only for limbs
Superficial
towards the surface of the skin
Deep
away form the surface of the skin
Planes and perpendicular axes
Sagittal plane → Mediolateral axis
Transverse plane → Longitudinal axis
Frontal plane → Anteroposterior axis
Major joint motions of anatomical planes
Mediolateral
Flexion/extension
Anteroposterior
Abduction/adduction
Longitudinal
Medial/lateral rotation
Linear motion
TRANSLATION of a point from one position to another
Linear motion of a body: all points move in the same direction with the same trajectories
Orientation of the object does not change
Rectilinear & Curvilinear
Rectilinear vs. Curvilinear Motion
Rectilinear= straight
Curvilinear= curved
Angular motion
ROTATION about an axis of rotation (or center of rotation)
Orientation changes constantly
Axis of rotation:
Within the body
Outside
Angular vs. Linear motion
Angular: rotation about an axis
Linear: translation from one position to another
What is the ‘general’ motion?
Can be broken down to simple motions
Complex joint motion
Multiple axes or planes are involved
No particular anatomical axis or plane
Ex. circumduction, foot pronation/supination
Circumduction
Combination of flexion/extension, abduction.adduction & rotation
Results in conical motion
Foot pronation/supination
Subtalar joint
Combination of inversion, adduction & plantar flexion
Note 
Flashcard (72)