Anatomical Position and Movement Terms

Vocabulary flashcards covering standard anatomical position, body planes, directional terms, and movement terms from the lecture.

Anatomical Position

The universal reference position for describing the human body, serving as a baseline for healthcare professionals, coaches, and fitness instructors.

Standard Anatomical Position

A standard posture where the body is standing upright, facing forward, with arms at the sides, palms facing forward, and feet parallel and pointing forward.

Sagittal Plane

An imaginary plane that divides the body into right and left parts.

Midsagittal (Median) Plane

An imaginary plane that divides the body into two equal halves.

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

An imaginary plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Transverse Plane (Cross Section)

An imaginary plane that divides the body into upper and lower parts.

Anterior

To be situated near or toward the front of the body.

Posterior

To be situated toward the back of the body.

Superior

To be situated toward the upper part or head of the body, positioned above another organ or structure.

Inferior

To be situated toward the lower part of the body or positioned below another organ or structure.

Cranial

Refers to the head end.

Caudal

Refers to the tail end.

Medial

To be closer to the midline of the body or a structure, being internal as opposed to external.

Lateral

To be farther away, in the direction of either side, from the midline of the body or a structure.

Proximal

Toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part.

Distal

Away from or farthest from the trunk or the point of origin of a part.

Superficial

Near the outer surface of the body.

Intermediate

Between two other structures.

Deep

Further away from the surface of the body.

Abduction

Moving a body part away from the midline.

Adduction

Moving a body part toward the midline.

Supination

Rotating hand/forearm laterally ("hold the soup").

Pronation

Rotating hand/forearm medially ("pour the soup").

Plantarflexion

Point toes/foot downward ("stand on tip toes").

Dorsiflexion

Point toes/foot upward ("foot off the gas pedal").

Inversion

Movement of sole of foot inward.

Eversion

Movement of sole of foot outward.

Medial (Internal) Rotation

Rotation in which the anterior surface moves toward the midline.

Lateral (External) Rotation

Rotation in which the anterior surface moves away from the midline.

Protraction

Moving forward on a plane parallel to the ground ("punch").

Retraction

Moving backward on a plane parallel to the ground ("start lawn mower").

Circumduction

Movement from the Latin meaning "around", which is a combination of flexion/extension and abduction/adduction.