SPORTS MED Anatomical position, Planes and Directional Terms

Anatomical Position

The standard reference position used for describing the body.

What does anatomical position look like?

Body standing upright, arms at the sides, palms facing forward, thumbs pointing outward/downward.

Why is anatomical position important?

All anatomical terms use it as their one reference point.

What are the 3 planes of human movement?

Sagittal, frontal, and transverse.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into right and left portions.

What type of movement occurs in the sagittal plane?

Forward and backward movement.

What does the sagittal plane give you?

 The midline of the body.

Frontal Plane

Divides the body into front and back portions.

What type of movement occurs in the frontal plane?

 Side-to-side movement.

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into top and bottom portions.

What type of movement occurs in the transverse plane?

 Rotational movement.

Anterior (Ventral)

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

 Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the imaginary midline of the body.

Lateral

 Toward the side, away from the imaginary midline.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk or closer to a specified reference point.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or farther from a specified reference point.

Superior (Cephalic)

 Above another body part or closer to the head.

Inferior (Caudal)

Below another body part or closer to the feet.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Contralateral

 On the opposite side of the body.

Superficial

Close to the body’s surface.

Deep

 Farther inside/internal to the body.