Anatomical Movement

anterior

Toward the front ventral side

posterior

towards the back dorsal side

depression

lowering

elevation

raising

medial

body parts located near the midline

lateral

body parts away from midline

superior

body parts near the head

inferior

body parts located near the sacrum or tailbone

distal

body parts away from the point of reference

dorsal

pertaining to the back

ventral

bellyside

parietal

outerwall of body cavity

visceral

internal organs

proximal

body parts close to point of reference

superficial

near the surface

deep

away from the surface

flexion

decreasing angle of a joint

extension

increasing the angle of a joint

hyperextension

extension beyond anatomical position

abduction

movement away from midline of body

adduction

movement toward midline of body

internal or medial rotation

turning the joint inward

external or lateral rotation

turning the joint outward

protraction

move scapulae apart

retraction

move scapulae together

circumduction

circular movement of a limb at far end, cone shape

rotation

moving part around an axis

shoulder elevation

scapula moves upwards

shoulder depression

scapula moves downwards

neck rotation

turning head

dorisflexion

toes come up superiorly

plantarflexion

bending sole of foot by curling toes

inversion

lift medial edge of foot

eversion

lift lateral edge of foot

supination

facing up

pronation

facing down

radial deviation

hand toward thumb

ulnar deviation

hand toward little finger

supine

lying on back

prone

lying face down

ligament

bands of flexible tissue around bone to bone

tendon

bands of flexible tissue around muscle to bone

opposition

brings the thumb and little finger together.

reposition

moves the thumb and the little finger away from each other