Anatomical, Position, Direction, and Action Terminology

Question 1

anatomy

Answer 1

The study of body structure. The oldest, most clinically relevant of the basic sciences.

Question 2

anatomical position

Answer 2

• The body is standing erect with the face anterior (forward)
• Arms at the side
• Palms of hands turned anteriorly (forward)
• Eyes directed to the horizon

Question 3

sagittal plane

Answer 3

A plane that divides the body into unequal right and left portions

Question 4

Mid-sagittal plane

Answer 4

divides the body into left and right halves

Question 5

Frontal/Coronal Plane

Answer 5

divides the body into anterior and posteriors portions

Question 6

transverse/horizontal/cross-sectional plane

Answer 6

divides the body into superior and inferior portions

Question 7

anterior

Answer 7

ventral, toward the front of the body

Question 8

posterior

Answer 8

dorsal, toward the back of the body

Question 9

superior

Answer 9

cephalic, towards the head

Question 10

inferior

Answer 10

caudal, toward the feet

Question 11

medial

Answer 11

towards the Mid-sagittal plane

Question 12

lateral

Answer 12

away from the mid-sagittal plane

Question 13

proximal

Answer 13

toward the center of the body

Question 14

distal

Answer 14

away from the center of the body

Question 15

superficial

Answer 15

toward the surface of the body

Question 16

deep

Answer 16

toward the center of the body

Question 17

ipsilateral

Answer 17

on the same side

Question 18

contralateral

Answer 18

on the opposite side

Question 19

somatic

Answer 19

refers to the body wall

Question 20

visceral

Answer 20

refers to structures in the body cavity

Question 21

flexion

Answer 21

decrease in anterior angle of a joint

Question 22

extension

Answer 22

increase in anterior angle of a joint

Question 23

abduction

Answer 23

movement away from the midline

Question 24

adduction

Answer 24

movement toward the midline

Question 25

pronation

Answer 25

turning the palm posteriorly

Question 26

supination

Answer 26

turning the palm anteriorly

Question 27

circumduction

Answer 27

combination of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction

Ex: stick arm out, move in circle

Question 28

rotation

Answer 28

movement of a bone around its longitudinal axis

Ex: Arm stays still, forearm moves back and forth on elbow joint

Question 29

inversion

Answer 29

turning sole of foot inward

Question 30

eversion

Answer 30

turning sole of foot outward

Question 31

doriflexion

Answer 31

approximating dorsum of foot to front of leg, pointing toes UPward

Question 32

plantar flexsion

Answer 32

drawing hell upward, pointing toes downward