1.1 KINESE- Anatomical Terms for Understanding Movement

Updated

Anatomical position

standardized position from which movement or the location of body structures can be described; Standing with feet and palms facing front

prone

refers to lying face downward on the belly

supine

refers to lying on the spine face up

anterior

on the front side of the body or in front of

posterior

on the back side or in back of

medial

closer toward midline

lateral

farther from midline

proximal

closer to root of limb or center of body

distal

farther from root of limb or center of body

superficial

closer to or on the surface of the body

deep

farther from the surface of the body

palmar

anterior aspect of hand in anatomical position

dorsal

back of hand or tops of feet

plantar

bottom of foot

sagittal plane

a vertical plane dividing the body into right and left portions, (mediolateral axes)

frontal plane

a vertical plane dividing the body into the front and back portions, (anteroposterior axes)

horizontal plane

a transverse plane dividing the body into upper and lower portions, (vertical axes)

Flexion

involves bringing anterior surfaces of adjacent body surfaces towards one another

extension

involves bringing anterior surfaces of adjacent body parts away from each other or toward anatomical position and beyond

Dorsiflexion

involves bringing the top (dorsal) aspect of the foot up toward the front of the lower leg

Plantar flexion

involves bringing the top of the foot away from the front of the lower leg

abduction

involves moving a segment of the body away from the midline

adduction

involves returning body segment back toward the midline

Lateral Flexion

Involves bending the spine to the side, laterally

External Rotation

involves turning the anterior surface of a limb outwards, away from the midline

internal rotation

involves turning the anterior surface of the limb inward, toward the midline