Anatomical Terms

What is the anatomical position?

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

Anterior (ventral)

The front of the body.

Posterior (dorsal)

The back of the body.

Superior

Toward the head or upper part of the body.

Inferior

Toward the feet or lower part of the body.

Medial

Toward the midline of the body.

Lateral

Away from the body's midline.

Proximal

Closer to the trunk or point of attachment.

Distal

Farther from the trunk or point of attachment.

Superficial

Closer to the body's surface.

Deep

Farther from the body's surface.

Flexion

Bending a joint; decreases the angle between bones.

Extension

Straightening a joint; increases the angle between bones.

Abduction

Movement away from the body's midline.

Adduction

Movement toward the body's midline.

Medial Rotation

Rotation toward the body's midline.

Lateral Rotation

Rotation away from the body's midline.

Circumduction

Circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Lateral Flexion

Bending the neck or trunk to one side.

Elevation

Moving a body part upward.

Depression

Moving a body part downward.

Supination

Rotating the forearm so the palm faces up or forward.

Pronation

Rotating the forearm so the palm faces down or backward.

Inversion

Turning the sole of the foot inward.

Eversion

Turning the sole of the foot outward.

Dorsiflexion

Lifting the foot toward the shin.

Plantar Flexion

Pointing the toes downward.

Protraction

Moving a body part forward.

Retraction

Moving a body part backward.

Deviation

Movement of the wrist toward the thumb (radial) or little finger (ulnar).

Opposition

Touching the thumb to another fingertip.

Prone

Lying face down.

Supine

Lying face up.

Side-Lying

Lying on either side of the body.

Sagittal Plane

Divides the body into left and right portions.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Divides the body into front and back portions.

Transverse Plane

Divides the body into upper and lower portions.

Movements in the Sagittal Plane

Flexion and extension.

Movements in the Frontal Plane

Abduction and adduction.

Movements in the Transverse Plane

Rotation and horizontal abduction/adduction.

Horizontal Abduction

Moving the arm away from the midline while it is at shoulder height.

Horizontal Adduction

Moving the arm toward the midline while it is at shoulder height.

Cranial Cavity

Contains the brain.

Thoracic Cavity

Contains the heart and lungs.

Abdominal Cavity

Contains the stomach, liver, intestines, and other digestive organs.

Pelvic Cavity

Contains the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs.

Four Abdominal Quadrants

RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ.

Oral Cavity

Contains the mouth, teeth, and tongue.

Nasal Cavity

Located within and behind the nose; part of the respiratory pathway.

Orbital Cavity

Contains the eyes.

Middle Ear Cavity

Contains the bones that transmit sound vibrations.