Anatomical Positions, Directions, and Movements

extension of knee

flexion of knee

extension of hand

flexion of hand

lateral flexion

adduction

abduction

circumduction

dorsiflexion

plantar flexion

inversion

eversion

internal rotation

external rotation

the opposite

ulnar deviation

radial deviation

protraction

retraction

opposition

Superior

Closer to the head or higher than another structure

Inferior

Closer to the feet or lower than another structure

Anterior

More in front than another structure

Posterior

More in back than another structure

Medial

Closer to the midline than another structure

Lateral

Farther away from the midline than another structure

Distal

Further from the root of the limb (extremities only)

Proximal

Closer to the root of the limb (extremities only)

Superficial

Closer to the surface of the body than another structure

Deep

Closer to the core of the body than another structure

Ventral

Towards the belly/front

Dorsal

Towards the back

Prone

Lying face down

Supine

Lying face up

Unilateral

Pertaining to one side of the body

Bilateral

Pertaining to both sides of the body

Anatomical Position

Standing with the palms facing forward

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into right and left portions

Frontal Plane

Divides the body into front and back portions.

Also called the Coronal Plane

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into upper and lower portions.

Also called the Horizontal Plane

Midsagittal Plane

Divides the body into EQUAL right and left halves.