Anatomical directions/vocab

anatomical position

To stand erect with arms at the sides and palms of the hands turned forward

frontal (coronal) plane

divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

sagittal plane

divides the body into right and left parts

transverse plane

divides the body into upper and lower portions

Anterior

front of the body

Posterior

back of body

Superior

Near the upper body like head

Inferior

Away from upper body or toward the lower part of the body

Medial

Toward the midline of the body

Lateral

away from the midline

Distal (Only used for arms and legs)

Away from the reference point/midline (wrist is distal to shoulder)

Proximal (Only used for arms and legs)

Near the reference point/midline (shoulder is proximal to wrist)

plantar

Pertaining to the side of the foot

Palmar

pertaining to the palm of the hand

prone

lying face down

supine

lying on the back

deep

inside the body

superficial

Close to skin

Flexion

bending a joint

extension

Straightening of a joint

Abduction

away from the midline (Ab/Ad)

Adduction

Toward the midline of the body (Ab/Ad)

Rotation

Body part rotating around something

Circumduction

circular movement of a limb

Supination

palms face up

Pronation

palm facing down

Inversion

Rotate the soles of foot medially(toward the body)

Eversion

Rotate the soles of foot laterally(away from the center of the body)

Elevation

raising a body part

Depression

Relaxing or pushing down a body part down

Protraction

Movement of a body part forward

Retraction

moving a part backward

Hyperflexion

flexion of a limb or part beyond the normal limits

Ventral

At or near the front of the body (usually used for animals or hands and feet)

Dorsal

At or near the back of the body (usually used for animals or hands and feet))

Ipsilateral

Same side

Contralateral

Opposite sides

dorsal flexion

move foot so that toes are pointed upward

Plantar flexion

Move foot down or toes pointing down

Surcumduction

Rotations body part all around ur body

Internal rotation

Rotation of a joint toward the middle of the body.

external rotation

Rotation of a joint away from the middle of the body.