Anatomical Definitions for Body Positions & Terms of Movement Flashcards
What does ‘Supine’ mean in anatomical terms?
Lying on the back or with the face upward. Dorsal side is down and ventral side is up.
Define ‘Prone’ position.
Body position in which the person lies flat with the chest down and their back up. Dorsal side is up and ventral side is down.
What is the ‘Midline’?
Bisecting of the body vertically down the center; movements of the body are often referred to in their relation to the midline.
What does ‘Anterior’ refer to?
Front side of the body.
Define ‘Posterior’.
Back side of the body.
What is ‘Flexion’?
Bending movement that decreases the angle between two parts.
What is the opposite of ‘Flexion’?
Extension; a straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts.
Define ‘Abduction’.
Motion that pulls a structure or part away from the midline of the body.
What does ‘Adduction’ mean?
Motion that pulls a structure or part toward the midline of the body.
What is ‘Lateral Rotation’?
Turning outward.
Define ‘Medial Rotation’.
Turning inward.
What does ‘Elevation’ refer to?
Movement in an upward direction.
What is ‘Depression’ in anatomical movements?
Movement in a downward direction.
Define ‘Protraction’.
Anterior movement of the arms at the shoulders.
What does ‘Retraction’ mean?
Posterior movement of the arms at the shoulders.
What is ‘Plantar flexion’?
Movement of the foot in which the foot or toes flex downward toward the sole.
Define ‘Dorsiflexion’.
Flexion of the entire foot upward toward the shin.
What does ‘Eversion’ refer to?
Movement of the sole of the foot away from the median plane.
What is inversion?
The movement of the sole toward the median plane
[Inversion is commonly associated with ankle movements.]
Define pronation.
The rotation of the hand, forearm, or foot inward and downward
[Often used to describe a movement in the foot during walking or running.]
What is supination?
The rotation of the hand, forearm, or foot upward and outward
[Supination is the opposite of pronation]
What does rotation refer to in biomechanics?
Motion that occurs when a part turns on its axis
[Rotation can occur in various joints, such as the shoulder or hip]
What happens during an eccentric contraction?
The muscle elongates while under tension, due to an opposing force being greater than the force generated by the muscle
[Important for controlling movements]
Define concentric contraction.
A type of muscle contraction in which the muscles shorten while generating force
[Often involved in lifting actions.]
