Kin and Bio: Terminology & Planes

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior

Toward the feet or lower part of the body.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body.

Proximal

Closer to the origin or point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the origin or point of attachment.

Cranial/Cephalad

Toward the head.

Caudal

Toward the tail.

Ventral

Belly or front surface of the body.

Dorsal

Back surface of the body.

Prone

Lying face down.

Supine

Lying face up.

Contralateral

On opposite sides of the body.

Ipsilateral

On the same side of the body.

Flexion

Movement that decreases the angle between two bones or parts of the body.

Extension

Movement that increases the angle between two bones or parts of the body.

Abduction

Movement of the distal surface away from the midline.

Adduction

Movement of the distal surface toward the midline.

Lateral Flexion

Movement away from the midline on the axial skeleton.

Rotation

Turning around a central longitudinal axis.

Internal (Medial) Rotation

Rotation towards the midline.

External (Lateral) Rotation

Rotation away from the midline.

Pronation

Turning the palm downwards or posteriorly.

Supination

Turning the palm upwards or anteriorly.

Protraction

Anterior motion of the scapula.

Retraction

Posterior motion of the scapula.

Dorsiflexion

Bringing the dorsal surface of the foot upwards.

Plantar Flexion

Pushing the dorsal surface downwards.

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot inwards.

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot outwards.

Osteokinematics

The study of movement of bones relative to the body.

Sagittal Plane

A plane that passes from the front to the back of the body; creating left and right sides.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

A plane that passes through the body from one side to the other; creating front and back.

Horizontal (Transverse) Plane

A plane that passes through the body horizontally; creating top and bottom.

Circumduction

A triplanar movement involving multiple planes.

Center of Gravity (COG)

Point at which all three cardinal planes intersect; important for balance.

Flexion and extension

What two motions occur in the Saggital plane?

Abduction, adduction, lateral flexion

What three motions occur in the frontal plane?

Rotation

What motion occurs in the transverse plane?