BME 2800: Key Terminology, Planes, and Movements

Tadasana/Mountain Pose

Standing erect, looking straight ahead, palms facing forward, thumbs pointed outwards, with feet together or shoulder-width apart.

Superior/Cranial

Refers to a position above or higher than another part of the body, often used to describe the location of structures in relation to one another in anatomical terms (closer to the head).

Inferior/Caudal

Refers to a position below or lower than another part of the body, used in anatomical terminology to indicate the relative position of structures (closer to the feet).

Anterior/Ventral

Refers to a position toward the front of the body or structure, often used to describe the location of structures in relation to one another in anatomical terms.

Posterior/Dorsal

Refers to a position toward the back of the body or structure, used in anatomical terminology to indicate the relative position of structures.

Medial

Refers to a position closer to the midline of the body or structure, used to describe the location of structures in relation to one another in anatomical terms.

Lateral

Refers to a position farther from the midline of the body or structure, used in anatomical terminology to describe the relative position of structures (sides of the arms).

Intermediate

Refers to a position that is between medial and lateral, used to describe the location of structures in relation to one another in anatomical terms.

Proximal

Refers to a position closer to the point of attachment or origin of a limb or structure, often used in anatomical terminology to describe the position of body parts (in arms/legs, means closer to torso)

Distal

Refers to a position farther away from the point of attachment or origin of a limb or structure, commonly used in anatomical terminology to indicate the location of body parts relative to the torso.

Superficial

Refers to a position located near the surface of the body or an organ, often used in anatomical terminology to describe structures that are closer to the skin.

Deep

Refers to a position located further away from the surface of the body or an organ, used to describe structures that are more internal compared to others.

Sagittal

Relating to a vertical plane that divides the body into right and left halves, often used to describe movements or positions in anatomical studies.

Frontal/Coronal

Relating to a vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) sections, commonly referenced in anatomical orientation and movements.

Axial/Transverse

Relating to a horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) parts, frequently used in anatomical imaging and descriptions of movement.

Oblique

Referring to an angle or plane that is not parallel to one of the main three planes, often used to describe movements or positions that occur at an angle.

Flexion

A movement that decreases the angle between two body parts, typically occurring at joints, such as bending an elbow or knee.

Extension

Increasing the angle between body parts, typically involving straightening a joint.

Hyperextension

A movement that increases the angle between two body parts beyond the normal range of motion, often occurring at joints, such as extending the neck backward.

Abduction

Movement away from midline.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline.

Lateral/External Rotation

Rotation of a body part away from the midline of the body; for example, rotating the arm so that the anterior surface faces laterally, or rotating the leg outward at the hip.

Medial/Internal Rotation

Rotation of a body part toward the midline of the body; for example, rotating the arm so that the anterior surface faces medially, or rotating the leg inward at the hip.

Supination

Palms rotating forward/laterally, like in standard anatomical position.

Pronation

Palms rotating medially/inward.

Opposition

Thumb touching fingers.

Dorsiflexion

The backward bending and flexing of your foot or hand, bringing the dorsal surface closer to the leg or forearm, respectively. For the foot, it involves moving the top of the foot upward, closer to the shin.

Plantar Flexion

Pointing toes toward calf

Inversion

Foot arch rotating toward midline

Eversion

Foot arch rotates toward lateral

Circumduction

Drawing cones or circles (with arms, legs, etc).