Anatomical Positions Flashcards
What is functional anatomy?
Functional anatomy is understanding how the body functions and moves.
Example: Studying the muscles involved in running.
What type of terminology should be used when describing human movement?
Specialist anatomical terminology.
Example: Using terms like abduction and adduction.
In relation to what should movements be described?
Standard ‘Anatomical Position’.
In how many planes should movements be described?
In 3 planes.
Around how many axes should movements be described?
Around 3 axes.
What does ‘anterior’ mean in anatomical terms?
Facing towards the front or located at the front.
What does ‘posterior’ mean in anatomical terms?
Facing towards the back or located at the back.
What does ‘medial’ refer to in anatomical terms?
Medial refers to being closer to the body’s mid-line.
What does ‘lateral’ refer to in anatomical terms?
Lateral refers to being further from the body’s mid-line.
What does ‘superior’ refer to in anatomical terms?
Located above or towards the top.
What does ‘inferior’ refer to in anatomical terms?
Located below or towards the bottom.
What does ‘proximal’ refer to in anatomical terms?
Proximal refers to a position towards the trunk or near the origin of a structure.
What does ‘distal’ refer to in anatomical terms?
Distal refers to a position away from the trunk or far from the origin of a structure.
What does unilateral mean?
Unilateral refers to one side.
What does bilateral mean?
Bilateral refers to both sides.
What is the anatomical position?
The anatomical position is standing upright, legs together, toes pointing forwards, arms hanging by the side, with face and palms directed forwards.
What is the movement of a body part away from the mid-line called?
Abduction
What is the movement of a body part towards the mid-line called?
Adduction
What does the sagittal plane divide the body into?
The sagittal plane divides the body into right and left halves.
What is the movement of a body part forwards in the sagittal plane generally called?
Movement of a body part forwards in the sagittal plane is generally called flexion.
What is the movement of a body part backwards in the sagittal plane generally called?
Movement of a body part backwards in the sagittal plane is generally called extension.
What does the transverse (horizontal) plane do?
It divides the body into upper and lower parts.
What is lateral (external) rotation?
Rotation of a body part outwards.
What is medial (internal) rotation?
Rotation of a body part inwards.
What do axes of rotation describe in terms of movement?
Axes of rotation describe movements occurring within a plane and can also describe movements as occurring about an axis.
