Kinesiology Notes and Vocab - Unit 1

Anatomical Position

The universal reference position

We use it to identify the location of a structure, organ, injury, or the origin of pain, etc. that is relative to other body structures.

Why is the anatomical position important?

Pairs

directional terms that come in pairs/opposites

Superior/Inferior

• Superior (cranial): Toward the head/above

• Inferior (Caudal): Toward the feet/away from the head

Anterior/Posterior

• Anterior (ventral): toward the front/near the front side of the body

• Posterior (dorsal): toward the back/near the tailbone area

Medial/Lateral

• Medial: Toward the middle/midline or near the median plane

• Lateral: Toward the sides or away from the middle/median plane

Deep/Superficial

• Deep: Away from the surface/further away from the surface of the body

• Superficial: Toward the surface/near the surface of the body

Proximal/Distal

• Proximal: Near the point of origin(attachment) or trunk of the body

• Distal: Farther away from the point of origin(attachment) or trunk of the body

• Only used to refer to structure on limbs—limited to describing location of limb structures that lie in linear arrangement

What are the terms proximal and distal limited to?

Planes

Imaginary flat structures that pass through the body or an organ, dividing the structure into two sections

Longitude Plane

Passes through the body/organ, dividing it into two sections

Sagittal Plane

Passes lengthwise through the body or organ parallel to the long axis

• Divides patient into left and right sections

Midsagittal Plane

Passes through the midline of the body/organ, dividing into EQUAL left and right regions.

Parasagittal Plane

Does NOT run through the midline, but divides body into UNEQUAL left and right regions

Frontal Plane (Coronal Plane)

Runs lengthwise through the body/organ, traveling left to right while diving the body into anterior (frontal) and posterior (back)

Transverse Plane (Horizontal Plane)

Passes through the body/organ perpendicular to the long axis, diving body/organ into superior and inferior sections.

Oblique Plane

Passes through the body/organ at some angle other than perpendicular or parallel to the long axis.

Body Cavities

A fluid-filled space inside the body that holds and protects internal organs (Viscera)

Dorsal Cavity (Posterior)

The smaller cavity of the two that is home to the brain and spinal cord

• Cranial and Vertebrae Cavity

Ventral Cavity (Anterior)

Larger cavity of the two and home to various vital organs

• Subdivided into the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic cavity

Thoracic Cavity

A hollow space in the chest home to the heart, lungs, esophagus, and various other vital organs.

• protected by rib cage and diaphragm

Pelvic Cavity

A bowl-shaped space that contains the urinary and reproductive organs

• inferior to the abdominal cavity

Abdominal Cavity

A large body cavity containing organs such as the stomach, liver, and intestines (small/large)

• Right hypochondriac, Right Lumbar, Right iliac

• Epigastric Region, Umbilical Region, Hypogastric Region

• Left Hypochondriac, Left Lumbar, Left iliac

What are the 9 sections in the abdominal cavity?

Right Upper Quadrant

Home to the gallbladder and liver

Right lower quadrant

Home to the appendix

Left upper quadrant

Home to the stomach and spleen

Left lower quadrant

Home to the descending colon and sigmoid colon

Flexion/extension

Flexion: Bending a joint—decrease angle

Extension: Extending a joint—increase angle

Abduction/Adduction

Abduction: Limb moves away from midline

Adduction: Limb moves toward the midline

Circumduction

Move limb(s) in a circular motion

• Certain joints allow certain movements

Supination/Pronation

Supination: Palms facing up—inward rotation

Pronation: Palms facing down—outward rotation

Dorsiflexion/plantar flexion

Dorsiflexion: To flex upwards

Plantar flexion: To flex downwards