Structural Kinesiology Lab

Superior (Cranial)

Toward the head or upper part of a structure or the body, above

Inferior (Caudal)

Away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body

Medial

Toward the midline of the body or on the inner side of

Lateral

Away from the midline of the body or on the outer side of

Proximal

Closer to the origin of the body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Distal

Farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk

Ipsilateral

On the same side

Contralateral

On opposite

Anterior (ventral)

Toward or at the front of the body (belly)

Posterior (dorsal)

Toward or at the back of the body (back)

Superficial (external)

Toward or at the body surface

Deep (Interal)

Away from the body surface, more internal

Frontal Plane

Anterior-Posterior Axis

Sagittal Plane

Mediolateral

Transverse Plane

Longitudinal

Bilateral

BOTH sides

Palmar

Relating to the palm or the hand

Plantar

Relating to the feet

Prone

The body laying face downward, on belly

Supine

The body laying face upward, on back

Flexion (Sagittal)

(Think up raising something up) Decrease in the angle, bringing bones together - wrist, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, neck

Extension (Sagittal)

(Lowering/Straightening Something Out) - Increase in the angle, bringing bones apart, wrist, shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, neck

Dorsiflexion (sagittal)

foot flex towards the limb/ankle

Plantar Flexion (sagittal)

foot point, away from limb/ankle

ABduction (Frontal)

Raising of Arm or leg (side ), AWAY from the midline, towards head

ADduction (Frontal)

Lowering of the arm or leg, side ADDING to the midline, towards body

Radial Deviation/Wrist ABduction (Frontal)

move towards the radius towards the thumb (swiping motion)

Ulnar Deviation/Wrist ADduction (Frontal)

move towards the ulna (swiping motion)

Eversion (Frontal)

outward/lateral turn of foot

Inversion (Frontal)

Inward/medial turn of foot (breaking ankles almost)

Depression (Frontal)

Downward shrugging motion of shoudlers

Elevation (Frontal)

Upward shrugging of shoulders

Upward Rotation (Frontal)

Side raise of shoulder, laterally, towards head

Downward Rotation (Frontal)

Side lowering of shoulder, laterally, towards median

L/R Lateral Bending (Frontal)

Bend trunk or neck L/R

Medial/Internal Rotation (Transverse)

Whole leg rotates inward ( like the cutesy pose)

Lateral/External Rotation (Transverse)

Whole leg rotates outward

External Rotation

Limb moves away from the midline (could be like opening a door)

Protonation (transverse)

Rotating/raising arm to a PALM DOWN formation (at an angle, wiping)

Supination (Transverse)

Rotating to a PALM UP formation, holding a tray

Protraction (Transverse)

shoulder girdle away from back, hump back (abduction)

Retraction (Transverse)

shoulder girdle toward spine, pushing chest out (adduction)

Circumduction/Circumflexion(Transverse)

Airplane arms PE warm up (flexion, extension, adduction, abduction)

Transverse Abduction

Movement of humerus (straight arm) away from the midline

Transverse Adduction

Movement of humerus (straight arm) toward the midline

Ankle Protonation (Transverse)

Toe out, lean inward toward the midline

Ankle Supination (Transverse)

Toe in, lean outward away from the midline