Anatomy: Anatomical Position, Planes, Directional Terms, and Movements

Comprehensive practice flashcards covering anatomical position, anatomical body planes, directional relationships, and joint/limb movement definitions.

What are the five defining features of the anatomical position?

1. Stands Erect
2. The feet are parallel and directed forward
3. Arms are straight beside the body
4. Palms are facing forward
5. Face and Eyes are directed forward

Which anatomical plane divides the body into upper and lower parts?

Transverse plane

Which anatomical plane divides the body into anterior and posterior parts?

Coronal plane

Which anatomical plane divides the body vertically into right and left halves?

Midsagittal plane

In directional anatomy, which directions are indicated by the red arrow pointing upward and the green arrow pointing downward?

The red arrow pointing upward represents Superior, and the green arrow pointing downward represents Inferior.

What directional terms correspond respectively to the front (forward arrow) and back (backward arrow) of the body?

Anterior (Ventral) refers to the front, and Posterior (Dorsal) refers to the back.

Relative to the body's midline, what do the labels 0, 1, and 2 represent?

0 represents Median (on the midline), 1 represents Medial (closer to the midline), and 2 represents Lateral (further from the midline).

How is the directional term "distal" defined?

Away from root of the limb

Along a limb, what directional terms correspond to position 1 (closer to the limb attachment) and position 2 (further away)?

1 represents Proximal, and 2 represents Distal.

What anatomical depth terms correspond to labels 2 (outer surface musculature) and 1 (internal organs and skeleton)?

2 represents Superficial (external), and 1 represents Deep (internal).

What term describes structures situated on or affecting the same side of the body, as illustrated by the shaded right arm and right leg?

Ipsilateral

What term describes structures situated on or affecting opposite sides of the body, as illustrated by the shaded right upper limb and left lower limb?

Contralateral

What anatomical movement is defined as "increasing the angle () 2 bones"?

Extension

How is abduction defined, and how is it shown in the hand?

Abduction is defined as "Movement away from median plane," shown by spreading the digits away from the midline of the hand.

What anatomical movement occurs when the digits are brought together toward the middle finger axis?

Adduction

How is lateral rotation defined?

Rotation away from midline

How is medial rotation defined?

Rotation towards midline

What is the orientation of the palms in supination versus pronation?

In supination, the palm is anterior; in pronation, the palm is posterior.

What movement of the foot is defined as rotation of the foot so the sole is directed inwards?

Inversion

How is eversion of the foot defined?

Rotation of the foot so, the sole is directed outwards

What are the paired anatomical movement terms for lowering and elevating a structure?

Depression (lowering) and Elevation (raising)

What are the paired anatomical movement terms referring to moving a structure backward (posteriorly) and forward (anteriorly)?

Retraction (backward) and Protraction (forward)