Anatomy Terminology and Body Planes

PAS 301 LAB

Anatomical Position

Standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms and feet forward.

Sagittal Plane

Vertical plane passing through the midline, dividing the body in half.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Vertical plane dividing the body into front and back portions.

Transverse (Axial) Plane

Horizontal plane splitting the body into upper and lower portions.

Anterior (Ventral)

The front of the body.

Posterior (Dorsal)

The back of the body.

Medial

Closer to the mid-sagittal line.

Lateral

Farther from the mid-sagittal line.

Superior (Cranial)

Upper part of the body.

Inferior (Caudal)

Lower part of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the point of origin on a limb.

Distal

Farther from the point of origin on a limb.

Supine Hand Position

Hand is facing up.

Prone Hand Position

Hand is facing down.

Superficial (External)

Closer to the body surface.

Deep (Internal)

Away from the body surface.

Arm vs. Forearm

Arm is above the elbow; forearm is below the elbow.

Thigh vs. Leg

Thigh is above the kneecap; leg is below the kneecap.

Palmar

Pertaining to the palm of the hand.

Plantar

Pertaining to the sole of the foot.

Flexion

Bending or decreasing the angle between parts.

Extension

Straightening or increasing the angle between parts.

Abduction

Movement away from the median plane.

Adduction

Movement towards the median plane.

Circumduction

Circular movement of a limb, hand, or finger.

Opposition

Thumb moves across the palm and around.

Medial (Internal) Rotation

Twisting body parts inward.

Lateral (External) Rotation

Twisting body parts outward.

Supination (Action)

Making the forearm supine with palms out.

Pronation (Action)

Making the forearm prone with front of hand out.

Dorsiflexion

Upward movement of the foot at the ankle.

Plantar Flexion

Downward movement of the foot at the ankle.

Eversion

Turning the plantar surface outward.

Inversion

Turning the plantar surface inward.