med term - directional movement terms

anatomical position

the upright position of the body with the face directed forward, the  arms at the side, and the palms of the hands facing forward

adduction

moving a part toward the midline of the body 

abduction

moving a part away from the midline of the body 

internal rotation

turning a part on a single axis while bringing the anterior surface toward  the midline. 

external rotation

turning a part on a single axis while bringing the anterior surface away from the midline. 

circumduction

following a circular path 

flexion

bending a part (decreasing the angle) 

extension

extending a part (increasing the angle) 

hyperextension

going beyond anatomical position (past extension) 

supination

turning the hand anteriorly (toward the front) *movement occurs at the wrist  joint

pronation

turning the hand posteriorly (toward the back) *movement occurs at the wrist joint

dorsiflexion

bringing the toes toward the shin

plantar flexion

pointing the toes downward

retraction

moving a body part on the transverse plane backward

protraction

moving a body part on the transverse plane forward

depression

moving a body part on the frontal plane downward

elevation

moving a body part on the transverse plane upward

eversion

turning the sole of the foot outward

inversion

turning the sole of the foot inward

radial deviation

bending the wrist toward the radius

ulnar deviation

bending the wrist toward the ulna

horizontal abduction

movement of the arm horizontally away from the body

horizontal adduction

movement of the arms horizontally toward the body

lateral flexion

bending side to side on the frontal plane