Anatomical Movement, Planes, and Axes

Vocabulary flashcards covering body movements, anatomical planes, and axes of rotation based on lecture notes.

Flexion

The action of bending at a joint such that the joint angle decreases.

Extension

The opposite of flexion; opening the joint such that the joint angle increases.

Abduction

Moving a body segment to the side and away from your body ('ab' = 'from').

Adduction

Moving a body segment towards the midline of the body ('ad' = 'to'); the opposite of abduction.

Supination

Rotating the wrist such that the palm of your hand is facing forward.

Pronation

Rotating the wrist in the opposite direction of supination, so that the palm faces backward or downward.

Plantar flexion

A movement specific to the ankle joint that occurs when you point your toes.

Dorsiflexion

Bending the ankle to bring the top of your foot closer to your shin.

Inversion

Ankle joint movement resulting from standing on the outer edge of your foot.

Eversion

Ankle joint movement resulting from standing on the inner edge of your foot.

External rotation

Movement resulting when you twist or turn a body part outward from the midline.

Internal rotation

Movement resulting when you twist or turn a body part inward towards the midline.

Elevation

Movement in an upwards direction.

Depression

Movement in a downwards direction; the opposite motion of elevation.

Circumduction

A sequential movement pattern combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Anatomical Planes

Spatial reference planes positioned at right angles to one another, used to describe body positions and cuts.

Frontal Plane

A vertical plane that extends from one side of the body to the other side; also known as the coronal plane.

Transverse Plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into upper and lower segments; also known as the horizontal plane.

Sagittal Plane

A vertical plane that extends from the front of the body to the back; also known as the median plane.

Frontal Section

A directional cut along the frontal plane that exposes internal body parts from the front view.

Transverse Section

A directional cut along the transverse plane, allowing a view of internal structures from the top or bottom.

Sagittal Section

A directional cut along the sagittal plane that exposes internal structures from the side view.

Anatomical Axes

Reference lines used to describe the direction of rotation or movement occurring at joints.

Horizontal Axis

An axis extending from one side of the body to the other, perpendicular to the sagittal plane; also called the frontal or coronal axis.

Longitudinal Axis

A vertical axis running from head to toe, perpendicular to the transverse plane; also called the polar axis or vertical axis.

Antero-Posterior Axis

An axis extending from the front of the body to the back, perpendicular to the frontal plane; also called the sagittal axis.

Axis of Rotation Rule

The general rule stating that the axis of rotation for any body movement is always perpendicular to the plane of movement.

Biceps Curl Movement

A joint movement that occurs in the sagittal plane and rotates around the horizontal axis.

Dumbbell Lateral Raise Movement

An abduction movement that occurs in the frontal plane and rotates around the antero-posterior axis.

Figure Skater Spin Movement

A rotational movement that occurs in the transverse plane around the polar (longitudinal) axis.