Anatomical Position, Directional Terms and Planes of Motion

Question 1

What is Anatomical Position?

Answer 1

When the organism stands erect, face forward, arms at the sides, palms face forward, and feet point forward.

Question 2

Define Superior and provide an example.

Answer 2

Superior (upper or above): Toward the head

E.g. The heart is located superior to the small intestine.

Question 3

Define Inferior and provide an example.

Answer 3

Inferior (lower or below): Toward the feet

E.g. The small intestine is located inferior to the heart.

Question 4

Define Ventral OR Anterior and provide an example.

Answer 4

Ventral OR Anterior (in front of): further to the front.

E.g. The sternum is Ventral OR Anterior to the heart.

Question 5

Define Dorsal OR Posterior and provide an example.

Answer 5

Dorsal OR Posterior (in the back of): further to the back.

E.g. the heart is posterior to the sternum.

Question 6

Define the Midline.

Answer 6

The Midline is an imaginary line that divides the body into left and right halves.

Question 7

Define Medial and provide an example.

Answer 7

Medial: towards the midline of the body.

For E.g. the heart lies medial of the lungs.

Question 8

Define Lateral and provide an example.

Answer 8

Lateral: towards the side of the body OR away from the midline of the body.

E.g. the lungs lie lateral to the heart.

Question 9

What is the Axial Body?

Answer 9

The Axial body consists of the head, neck, and trunk.

Question 10

What is the Appendicular Body?

Answer 10

The Appendicular body consists of the limbs, or appendages that are added to the axial body.

Question 11

Define Proximal and provide an example.

Answer 11

Proximal: refers to being closer to the Axial body or towards the trunk.

E.g. The thigh is proximal to the foot.

Question 12

Define Distal and provide an example.

Answer 12

Distal: further from the axial body (further from the trunk).

E.g. the foot is distal to the thigh.

Question 13

Define Superficial and provide an example.

Answer 13

Superficial: closer to the surface of the body.

E.g. the sternum is superficial to the lungs.

Question 14

Define Deep and provide an example.

Answer 14

Deep: further from the surface of the body.

E.g. the lungs are deep to the sternum.

Question 15

What are the 3 planes of motion?

Answer 15

Sagittal, transverse, and frontal.

Question 16

Describe the Sagittal plane of motion and provide an example.

Answer 16

Sagittal: Vertical plane dividing the body into left and right halves, any forward or backward movement parallel to this plane occurs in the sagittal plane.

E.g. lunges and bicep curls.

Question 17

Describe the Frontal plane of motion and provide an example.

Answer 17

Frontal: Vertical plane passing through the body, dividing it into anterior and posterior halves. Any lateral or side move away from the midline will be on the frontal plane.

Adduction and abduction, or, elevation and depression of the scapula will occur in the frontal plane.

E.g. Lateral raises, and jumping jacks.

Question 18

Describe the Transverse plane of motion.

Answer 18

Transverse: the horizontal plane that divides the body or parts of the body into top and bottom halves.

Any time a joint is rotated it occurs in the Transverse plane. This includes any rotation, pronation and supination

E.g. external and internal rotation of the humerus, or a torso rotation.