Anatomical Position/Planes/Axes + Body Movement Flashcards
What are the 3 key features of the anatomical position?
- The person is in a standing upright position with head, eyes, and toes pointing forward
- The feet are together and the arms are slightly out to the side
- The palms of hands are facing forward
Define: Anterior
“in front of” or “front surface of” or front of the body
Define: Posterior
“behind” or “back surface of” or back of the body
Define: Superior
upwards surfaces, above another structure
Define: Inferior
downwards surfaces, below another structure
Define: Medial
towards the middle/midline of the body
Define: Lateral
to the side of, away from the middle of the body
Define: Proximal
nearest point of attachment to a limb or structure, closer to the origin
Define: Distal
furthest point of attachment to a limb or structure, further away from the origin
Where is the frontal
(coronal) plane?
how is it oriented?
Vertical; extends from one side of the body to the other
Where is the transverse plane
how is it oriented?
Horizontal; divides the body into upper and lower segments
Where is the sagittal plane?
how is it oriented
Vertical; extends from the front to the back of the body
What is the horizontal axis?
Horizontal; extends from one side of the body to the other
What is the longitudinal axis?
Vertical; runs from head to toe
What is the antero-posterior axis?
Horizontal; extends from the front to the back of the body
Define: Flexion
the action of bending at a joint (decreasing the joint angle)
ex. bending elbow to bring palm up to face,
Define: Extension
straightening the joint to increase the angle between body parts
What is this an example of:
- Extension
- Flexion
Define: Abduction
When your move a body segment to the side and away from the midline of the body
Define: Adduction
When you move a body segment from the side towards the midline of body
What is this an example of:
- Abduction
- Adduction
Define: Plantar Flexion
Specific to the ankle joint; occurs when you point your toes
Define: Dorsiflexion
Specific to the ankle joint; occurs when you bend the ankle to bring the top of your foot closer to your shin
What is this an example of:
- Dorsiflexion
- Plantar Flexion
Define: Supination
Rotating the wrist so your palm is facing upwards
Define: Pronation
Rotating the wrist so your palm is facing downwards
What is this an example of?
- Pronation
- Supination
Define: Inversion
Assosciated with ankle joint; foot bent towards the midline
Define: Eversion
Associated with ankle joint; foot bent away from midline
What is this an example of:
- Inversion
- Eversion
Define: External Rotation
When a body part is twisted/turned away from the midline
Define: Internal Rotation
When a body part is twisted/turned towards from the midline
What is this an example of:
- Internal Rotation
- External Rotation
Define: Elevation
A movement in the upwards direction
Define: Depression
A movement in the downwards direction
What is this an example of:
- Elevation
- Depression
Define: Circumduction
A combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction
What is this an example of:
Circumduction
Define: Protraction
Refers to movement away from the body or midline
Define: Retraction
Refers to movement towards its original position
What is this an example of:
- Retraction
- Protraction
