PLANES AND AXIS OF MOVEMENT
Here’s a table summarizing the axis and planes for various common movements in the human body:
Movement Axis Plane | ||
Flexion | Transverse axis (Horizontal axis) | Sagittal plane |
Extension | Transverse axis (Horizontal axis) | Sagittal plane |
Adduction | Sagittal axis (Medial-lateral axis) | Frontal plane |
Abduction | Sagittal axis (Medial-lateral axis) | Frontal plane |
Dorsiflexion | Coronal axis (Medial-lateral axis) | Sagittal plane |
Plantarflexion | Coronal axis (Medial-lateral axis) | Sagittal plane |
Eversion | Anterior-posterior axis | Frontal plane |
Inversion | Anterior-posterior axis | Frontal plane |
Internal Rotation | Longitudinal axis (Vertical axis) | Transverse plane |
External Rotation | Longitudinal axis (Vertical axis) | Transverse plane |
Circumduction | Combination of multiple axes | Multiplanar movement |
Pronation | Longitudinal axis (Vertical axis) | Transverse plane |
Supination | Longitudinal axis (Vertical axis) | Transverse plane |
Explanation:
Axis refers to the line around which a movement occurs.
Plane refers to the flat surface that divides the body during the movement.
Sagittal plane divides the body into left and right.
Frontal (coronal) plane divides the body into front and back.
Transverse plane divides the body into top and bottom.
Movements like flexion, extension, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion typically occur in the sagittal plane, while movements like abduction, adduction, inversion, and eversion occur in the frontal plane. Rotation and circumduction are often described using the transverse plane.
Let me know if you'd like to include any more movements!