Anatomy: Directions, Positions, and Movements of the Body (Quiz 1)

anterior

further toward the front of the body

deep

a structure deeper in the body

distal

a structure of the arm or leg that is further away from the trunk

inferior

a structure closer to the feet

lateral

further away from midline of the body

medial

closer to the midline of the body

posterior

further toward the back of the body

proximal

a structure of the arm or leg that is closer to the trunk

superficial

a structure closer to the body’s surface

superior

a structure closer to the head

abduction

a movement that brings a limb medially toward the body’s midline

adduction

a movement that moves a limb laterally away from the midline

circumduction

a combination of flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction

dorsiflexion

ankle movement letting off the car’s gas pedal

extension

a movement that straightens or opens a joint

flexion

a movement that bends a joint or brings the bones closer together

lateral flexion

when the head or vertebral column bends laterally to the side

lateral rotation

a limb at the shoulder or hip swings away from the midline

medial rotation

a limb at the shoulder or hip turns in toward the midline

plantar flexion

ankle movement stepping on the car’s gas pedal

pronation

a movement that straightens or opens a joint

rotation

a movement of the head and vertebral column along the transverse plane

supination

a movement bringing the radius and ulna parallel to one another