Anatomic Planes and Movements

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right along a horizontal axis

Frontal/Coronal Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior along a sagittal axis

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior along a vertical axis

Flexion

Movement in the sagittal plane about a horizontal axis so that the angle at the joint decreases

Extension

movement in the sagittal plane about a horizontal axis so that the angle at the joint increases. Return from flexion.

Hyperextension

movement in the sagittal plane about the horizontal axis so that the angle of the joint moves beyond 180 degrees.

Abduction

Movement in the frontal plane about the sagittal axis so that the limb moves away from the midline of the body

Adduction

Movement in the frontal plane about the sagittal axis so that the limb moves towards the midline of the body. The limb may cross the midline.

Circumduction

The distal end of the segment describes a cone

Medial (Inward) Rotation

Movement in the horizontal plane about the vertical axis so that the anterior surface of the limbs turns medially towards the body

Lateral (Outward) Rotation

Movement in the horizontal plane about the vertical axis so that the anterior surface of the limb turns laterally away from the body

Horizontal Abduction

movement at the horizontal plane about a vertical axis moving away from the midline of the body, typically involving the limbs.

Horizontal Adduction

Movement in the horizontal plane about a vertical axis so there's movement of the 90 degree flexed segment toward the midline of the body. The segment may cross the midline.

Plantar Flexion

Movement in the sagittal plane along a horizontal axis so that the soul of the foot approaches the posterior surface of the tibia. Pointing your toes.

Dorsiflexion

Movement in the sagittal plane along a horizontal axis so that the top of the foot approaches the anterior surface of the tibia

Inversion

Movement of the sole of the foot medially; the medial border of the foot is raised

- This is gliding. There are no planes

Eversion

Movement of the sole of the foot laterally; the lateral border is raised

Lateral Flexion

Movement in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis so that there's movement of the head and trunk from left to right.

Right/Left Rotation

Movement in the horizontal plane about a vertical axis turning the head or trunk from left or right about that axis

Pronation

Movement in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis so that there's medial rotation of the radio-ulnar joint.

Supination

Movement in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis so that there's lateral rotation of the radio-ulnar joint.

Radial Deviation

Movement in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis so there's movement if the wrist so that the angle between the thumb and the radius decreases

Ulnar Deviation

Movement in the frontal plane about a sagittal axis so that there's movement of the wrist so that the angle between the little finger and the ulna decreases

Elevation

Upward movement of the shoulder girdle

Depression

Downward movement of the shoulder girdle

Protraction

Abduction or movement of the scapula laterally; rounding the shoulders

Retraction

Adduction or movement of the scapula medially towards the vertebral columns