Anatomical Terms – Definitions Summary

A series of flashcards covering anatomical terms and definitions to aid in understanding body positions, planes, movements, and terms of position.

Anatomical Position

Standing upright with face and eyes directed forward, arms at the sides with palms facing forward, and feet parallel with toes pointing forward.

Supine

Lying flat on the back, face directed upward, with arms at the sides and legs extended.

Prone

Lying on the stomach, face directed downward, with arms at the sides.

Lateral Decubitus

Lying on one side, used in imaging studies.

Lithotomy

Body lies on the back with flexion of hip and knee and abduction of hip joints.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into right and left parts.

Median Plane

Divides the body into equal right and left halves.

Coronal Plane

Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Anterior

Toward the front of the body.

Posterior

Toward the back of the body.

Superior

Above another structure.

Inferior

Below another structure.

Medial

Closer to the midline.

Lateral

Away from the midline.

Proximal

Nearer to the root of the limb.

Distal

Away from the root of the limb.

Flexion

Decreases the angle of a joint.

Extension

Increases the angle of a joint.

Abduction

Movement away from the midline.

Adduction

Movement toward the midline.

Rotation

Movement around a long axis.

Pronation

Palm faces posteriorly.

Circumduction

Combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Protraction

Movement forward.

Retraction

Movement backward.

Inversion

Sole of the foot faces medially.

Eversion

Sole of the foot faces laterally.