anatomical position
standing erect, with the palms and feet facing forward. This is the standard reference point in which all positions, movements, and planes are described
sagittal/midsagittal plane
divides the body into right and left portions
frontal/coronal plane
divides the body into front and back portions
transverse/horizontal plane
divides the body into upper and lower portions
superior
refers to a structure being closer to the head or higher than another structure in the body
inferior
refers to a structure being closer to the feet or lower than another structure in the body
anterior
refers to a structure being more in front than another structure in the body
posterior
refers to a structure being more in back than another structure in the body
medial
refers to a structure being closer to the midline or median plane of the body than another structure of the body
lateral
refers to a structure being farther away from the midline than another structure of the body
distal
with reference to the extremities only, refers to a structure being further away from the root of the limb than another structure in the limb
proximal
with reference to the extremities only, refers to a structure being closer to the root of the limb than another structure in that limb
superficial
refers to a structure being closer to the surface of the body than another structure
deep
refers to a structure being closer to the core of the body than another structure
ventral
toward the front/belly
dorsal
toward the back
prone
lying face down
supine
lying face up
unilateral
pertaining to one side of the body
bilateral
pertaining to both sides of the body
flexion
bending at a joint or decreasing the angle between two bones
extension
straightening a joint or increasing the angle between two bones
hyperextension
extending a joint beyond its normal range of motion
adduction
moving a body part toward the midline of the body
abduction
moving a body part away from the midline of the body
pronation
turning the arm or foot downward (palm or sole of the foot down)
supination
turning the arm or foot upward (palm or sole of the foot up)
retraction
moving a part backward
protraction
moving a part forward
elevation
raising a part
depression
lowering a part
rotation
turning on a single axis
circumduction
tri-planar, circular motion at the hip or shoulder
external rotation
rotation of the hip or the shoulder away from midline
internal rotation
rotation of the hip or shoulder toward the midline
lateral flexion
side-bending left or right
inversion
turning the sole of the foot inward
eversion
turning the sole of the foot outward
dorisflexion
ankle movement bringing the foot toward the shin
plantarflexion
ankle movement pointing the foot downward
radial deviation
movement of the wrist towards the radius or lateral side
ulnar deviation
movement of the wrist towards the ulna or medial side
opposition
movement of the thumb across the palm of the hand