Movement Terminology

Anatomical Position

Standing upright, facing forward, arms at sides, palms forward, feet slightly apart

Sagittal plane

Divides the body into left and right halves; movements include flexion and extension

Frontal (coronal) plane

Divides the body into front and back halves; movements include abduction and adduction

Transverse (horizontal) plane

Divides the body into upper and lower halves; movements include rotation

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body

Example of abduction

Raising the arms or legs out to the side

Example of adduction

Bringing the arms or legs back toward the body

Base of support

The area beneath and between the points of contact that support the body

Postural tone

The continuous, low-level muscle activity that maintains posture and alignment.

Hypertonia

Increased muscle tone resulting in stiffness and reduced flexibility.

Hypotonia

Decreased muscle tone leading to floppiness and reduced resistance to movement.

What plane does flexion and extension occur in?

Sagittal plane

Which arm joints move into flexion/extension?

Shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers

Which leg joints move into flexion/extension

Hip, knee, ankle

Which trunk areas move into flexion/extension?

Trunk and neck

What plane does abduction and adduction occur in?

Frontal (coronal) plane

Which arm joints move into abduction/adduction?

Shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers

 Which leg joints move into abduction/adduction?

Hip, knee, ankle

Which trunk areas move into abduction/adduction?

 Trunk and neck

What plane does rotation occur in?

Transverse plane

Which arm joints rotate?

Shoulder, forearm, wrist, fingers.

Which leg joints rotate?

Hip, knee, ankle

Which trunk areas rotate?

Trunk and neck.

What is the supine position?

Lying on the back

What is the prone position?

Lying on the stomach

What is side‑lying?

Lying on either side.

What is prone‑to‑supine rolling?

Rolling from stomach to back

What is supine‑to‑prone rolling?

Rolling from back to stomach

What is prone on forearms?

Weight‑bearing through forearms while lying prone

What is prone on extended arms?

Elbows extended, pushing up through hands

What is sitting with support on both hands

Using both hands for stability while sitting

What is sitting with support on one hand?

Using one hand for stability, allowing rotation

What is side sitting?

Legs positioned to one side while sitting

What is long sitting?

Sitting with legs extended straight forward

What is “W” sitting?

Knees bent, feet outside hips forming a “W” shape

What is kneeling?

Weight‑bearing through knees with hips extended

What is tall kneeling?

Kneeling with hips fully upright

What is half kneeling?

One knee down, one foot planted (like a lunge)

 What is quadruped position?

Hands and knees on the ground

What is quadruped weight shifting?

Shifting body weight forward/backward while in quadruped

What is commando crawling?

Belly‑down crawling using forearms

What is quadruped crawling?

Crawling on hands and knees

What is standing with a wide base of support?

 Feet placed far apart for stability

What is standing with a narrow base of support?

Feet placed close together, requiring more balance

What is weight bearing?

Supporting body weight through a limb or body part