Movement - Chapter 2, Biomechanics

What is the universally accepted position from which all movements start?

Anatomical position

What position are all joints in during anatomical position?

A neutral position with no movement occurring

Why is anatomical position preferred over fundamental position?

Provides a standard reference for describing human movement

Why isn’t fundamental position preferred?

Hand position makes certain upper-extremity movements impossible

What does superior mean?

Above or higher than another structure

What does inferior mean?

Below or lower than another structure

What does lateral mean?

Farther away from the body’s midline

What does medial mean?

Closer to body’s midline

What does anterior mean?

In front of another structure

What does posterior mean?

Behind another structure

What does proximal mean?

Closer to the trunk (usually referring to limbs like arms/legs)

What does distal mean?

Farther from the trunk

What does dorsal mean?

Top side of a structure

What does volar mean?

Bottom side of a structure

What does palmar mean?

Volar aspect of the hand/wrist (bottom side)

What does plantar mean?

Volar aspect of the foot (sole)

What is pronation?

Rotational movement that turns structure inward or downward

What is supination?

Rotational movement that turns structure upward or outward

What is plantar flexion?

Pointing the foot downward

What is inversion?

Turning the foot inward

What is eversion?

Turning the foot outward

What is dorsiflexion?

Bending a joint backward or upward

What is a plane?

A dimension in space

What is an axis?

A straight line around which an object rotates

How is an axis related to its plane?

Perpendicular to the plane

What are the three planes where movement occurs?

Sagittal, Horizontal, and Frontal

What is another name for the Sagittal plane?

Anteroposterior plane

Where does the Sagittal plane pass through the body?

Front to back through the body

How does the Sagittal plane divide the body?

Creates a left and right side of the body

What axis does movement in the Sagittal plane rotate around?

Frontal horizontal axis

What is another name for the Horizontal plane?

Transverse plane

Where does the Horizontal plane pass through the body?

Through the body horizontally

How does the Horizontal plane divide the body?

Into top and bottom portions

What axis does movement in the Horizontal plane rotate around?

Vertical longitudinal axis

What is another name for the Frontal plane?

Lateral plane

Where does the Frontal plane pass through the body?

From one side of the body to the other, cutting the body in half

How does the Frontal plane divide the body?

Into front and back portions

What axis does movement in the Frontal plane rotate around?

Sagittal horizontal axis

Where is the body’s center of gravity?

Where all three planes meet, near the lower back area of spinal cord

What happens to the center of gravity when the body moves or when weight is added?

It shifts with body movement and changes in weight distribution

What two movements occur in the Sagittal plane?

Flexion and extension

What movement occurs in the Horizontal plane?

Rotation

What two movements occur in the Frontal plane?

Abduction and adduction

What is flexion?

A reduction of the angle formed by bones of the joint

What is extension?

Increase of the joint angle

What is hyperextension?

Further extension beyond anatomical position

What is abduction?

Movement away from the body midline

What is adduction?

Movement towards the body midline

What is rotation?

Pivoting/spinning of a bone along its longitudinal axis

What is external rotation?

When anterior surface of an arm/leg rotates laterally (away from midline)

What is internal rotation?

Anterior surface of arm/leg rotating medially (toward midline)

What is circumduction? (not considered a fundamental movement)

A combination movement of joints capable of creating movement in two or three planes

What direction do lateral points indicate?

Away from body’s midline

What does ipsilateral mean?

Points on the same side of the body

What does contralateral mean?

Points on opposite sides of the body

What does proximal mean in relation to body parts?

Points close to where they originate/close to the torso

What is the kinetic chain?

A concept describing human movement

What is an open kinetic chain?

Movement where a distal segment of the body is free to move

What is a closed kinetic chain?

Movement where a distal segment of the body is fixed