1.2.1 - Anatomical Movements

Question 1

Flexion - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 1

Sagittal Plane

Bending of adjacent body parts in the sagittal plane so that either anterior or posterior surfaces are brought closer together.

Anterior surface for upper body, posterior for knees and ankles In ankles this is called plantarflexion (planting the toes into the ground

E.g. Bending the elbow to bring the anterior surface of the forearm and upper arm closer together E.g. Bending the knee to bring the posterior surfaces of the thigh and calf closer together

Question 2

Extension - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 2

Sagittal Plane

Moving apart of anterior or posterior surfaces in the sagittal plane

Moving apart of anterior surface for upper body, posterior for knees and ankles.

In ankles, this is called dorsiflexion (pointing toes up towards where the dorsal fin would be if you were a fish)

E.g. Extension of the elbow occurs when the arm is straightened, and the anterior surface of the forearm and upper arm move away from each other E.g. Extension of the knee occurs whent he leg is straightened and the posterior surface of the thigh and calf move away from each other

Question 3

Plantarflexion - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 3

Sagittal Plane

Movement of dorsum (back) of foot away from the anterior surface of the leg

Plantarflexion = Planting the toes into the ground

E.g. Bending the foot downwards

Question 4

Dorsiflexion - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 4

Sagittal Plane

Movement of dorsum (back) of foot towards anterior surface of leg

Dorsiflexion = Pointing toes up to where the dorsal fin would be if you were a fish

E.g. Pointing the foot upwards

Question 5

Abduction - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 5

Coronal Plane Movement away from median plane along the coronal plane

Abduction = Abducting from the midline

For fingers and toes, the midline reference point is the middle finger and 2nd toe

E.g. Movement of upper limb away from torso – moving arms out

Question 6

Adduction - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 6

Coronal Plane

Movement towards median plane along the coronal plane

For fingers and toes, the midline reference point is the middle finger and 2nd toe

E.g. Movement of upper limb towards torso – returning arms to sides

Question 7

Lateral Flexion/Sidebending - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 7

Coronal Plane

Bending of head/neck/trunk to one side along the coronal plane

E.g. Laying your head on your shoulder

Question 8

Medial/Internal Rotation - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 8

Transverse/Horizontal/Axial Plane

Rotating a limb around its longitudinal axis so that the anterior surface faces towards the midline of the body

E.g. Rotating one leg so that the toes point towards the opposite leg towards the midline)

Question 9

Lateral Rotation - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 9

Transverse/Horizontal/Axial Plane

Rotating a limb around its longitudinal axis so that the lateral surface faces away from the midline

E.g. Turning the upper limb outwards so that the palm faces away from the midline

Question 10

Right Rotation

Answer 10

Transverse/Horizontal/Axial Plane

Rotating head/neck/trunk to the right

E.g. Turning head to the right

Question 11

Left Rotation

Answer 11

Transverse/Horizontal Plane

Rotating head/neck/trunk to the left

E.g. Turning head to the left

Question 12

Inversion - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 12

Transverse/Horizontal/Axial Plane

Movement of the whole foot so that the sole faces medially

Question 13

Eversion - What is it and which plane is it in?

Answer 13

Transverse/Horizontal/Axial Plane

Movement of the whole foot so that the sole faces laterally

Question 14

Opposition

Answer 14

Movement of thumb or little finger towards another finger

Question 15

Reposition

Answer 15

Movement of thumb or little finger from opposition back to anatomical position

Question 16

Elevation

Answer 16

Movement upwards

E.g. Raising shoulders

Question 17

Depression

Answer 17

Movement downwards

E.g. Lowering shoulders

Question 18

Protraction

Answer 18

Movement forwards

E.g. Sticking chin out

Question 19

Retraction

Answer 19

Movement backwards

E.g. Tucking chin back in

Question 20

Supination

Answer 20

Rotation of forearm so that palm faces anteriorly

Supination = ideal position for holding soup

Question 21

Protination

Answer 21

Rotation of forearm so that palm faces posteriorly

Pronation = Palm faces Posteriorly

Question 22

Circumduction - What is it and what types of joints is it possible at?

Answer 22

The distal end of a body part moving in a circle, caused by a combination of flexion + extension + abduction + adduction

Possible at biaxial and multiaxial joints