Topographic anatomy

Anterior (Ventral)

Located at or toward the front of the body or body part

Posterior (dorsal)

Located at or toward the back of the body or body part

Medial

Located at or near the midline of the body or body part

Lateral

Located away from the midline of the body or body part

Superior

Located toward the head or area of the body that is closer to the head

Inferior

Located toward the feet or area of the body that is closer to the feet.

Proximal

Located toward or closer to a given point of orgin. Usually used in relation to the trunk or midline of the body

Distal

Located farther from a given point of orgin. Usually used in relation to the trunk or midline of the body

Range of motion

The range, in degrees of a circle, through which a body part can be rotated, extended or flexed at a joint

Longitudinal axis

An imaginary line that passes lengthwise through a portion of the body or a bone. This line divides the part equally and symetrically

axis of a joint rotation

A line projecting at right angles to the plane of motion. The axis of rotation for most joints changes with the motion of the joint due to the joint's structure and the variety of angles in which it can be moved.

Rotation

A joint motion whereby a part moves or turns about its longitudinal axis

Circumduction

A movement whereby the distal end of a part makes a circle while the proximal portion of the part remains relatively stationary

Supination

The movement that rotates the forearm outward so that the palm of the hand faces forward

Pronation

The movement that rotates the forearm inward so that the back of the hand faces forward

Flexion

A motion described when adjacent body parts approach each other, hereby decreasing the angle between them. More simply stated flexion is the act of folding, bending, or withdrawing a bodypart

Dorsiflexion

A special type of flexion used to describe ankle and foot movement where the top (dorsal) surface of the foot moves closer to the leg, causing the angle between the anterior surface of the leg and the foot to decrease

Plantar flexion

Another type of flexion used to describe ankle and foot movement. The bottom (plantar) surface of the foot moves away from the leg, causing the angle between the anterior surface of the leg and foot to increase

Extension

A movement, which increases the angle between two adjacent, body parts. Refers to a movement that causes the parts of an extremity to line up in a straight manner.

Hyperextension

A type o0f extension where a bodypart is extended or streched beyond its normal anatomical position

Abduction

Movement of a body part away from the midline or medial plane of the body

Adduction

Movement of a body part toward the midline or medial plane of the body

Inversion

A special term used to describe the movement that turns the bottom of the foot inward

Eversion

A special term used to describe the movement that turns the botom of the foot inward

Protraction

Movement of a body part forward, away from the middle of the body

Retraction

Movement of a body part backwords or inwards, closer to the middle of the body