Anatomical Terms and Movements

Vocabulary flashcards covering anatomical positions, planes, directions, and movement terms from the lecture notes.

Anatomical Position

Refers to an erect stance, arms at sides with palms facing forward

Frontal

Divides the body into front and back planes

Sagittal

Divides the body into left and right planes

Transverse

Divides the body into top and bottom

Anterior

Refers to the front of the body

Posterior

Refers to the back of the body

Medial

Defined in relation to the sagittal plane, medial means close to the midline of the body

Lateral

Defined in relation to the sagittal plane, lateral is farther from the midline of the body

Proximal

Means towards an attachment or the midline of the body

Distal

Means away from an attachment

Flexion

Typically bending at a joint

Extension

Typically straightening a joint

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body

Adduction

Movement towards the midline of the body

Pronation

Palms down

Supination

Palms up

Inversion

Soles of the feet are turned in

Eversion

Soles of the feet are turned out

Superior

A position closer to the head or higher than another structure in the body

Inferior

Located lower down or closer to the feet relative to another body part

Dorsiflexion

Backward bending or flexing of the foot or hand upward

Plantarflexion

The movement of pointing your foot and toes downward, away from your shin