Med Term - Anatomical Directions

abduction

movement of the limb or digit away from the midline

adduction

movement of the limb or digit towards the midline

circumduction

movement at the joint that causes the distal limb to move in a circle

depression

moving a body part downwards

dorsiflection

standing on the heel of the foot, witch toes pointing upward

elevation

moving a body part upwards

eversion

moving the foot to turn the sole outwards

extension

movement that increases the angle between two body parts

flexion

movement that decreases the angle between two body parts

inversion

moving the foot to turn the sole inwards

lateral flexion

bending the spine to the side

opposition

movement of the pad of the thumb to touch another finger

plantar flexion

pushing or pointing the toes and ball of the foot toward the ground (tip toes)

pronation

rotation of the forearm inwards, causing the palm to face down

protraction

moving a body part forwards

reposition

reversal of opposition (returning thumb pad to anatomical position)

retraction

moving a body part backwards

rotation

turning to the side around a central longitudinal axis

supination

rotation of the forearm outwards, causing the palm to face upwards

anatomical position

upright with your arms at your sides, feet pointing forward, palms facing forward

midline

the line that splits your body down the middle

medial

towards the midline of your body

lateral

away from the midline of your body

proximal

closer to the center of the body

distal

further from the center of the body

superior

upper or above

inferior

lower or below

anterior

front of the body

posterior

back of the body

deep

deep in the body

superficial

on the surface

prone

laying on your face / face down

supine

laying on your back / face up