Anatomical Positions Flashcards
Anterior
In front of/the front of the body → ex. Sternum is anterior to the heart
Posterior
Behind/the back of the body
Superior
upward surfaces
Inferior
Downward surfaces
Medial
towards the midline/median plane
Lateral
away from the midline/median plane
Proximal
towards the point of attachment of the limb to the body
Distal
farther away from the point of attachment
Transverse Plane
divides body into inferior and superior segments
Sagittal Plane
divides body into medial an lateral segments
Frontal Plane
divides body into anterior and posterior segments
Longitudinal Axis
north-south relationship to body
Horizontal Axis
east-west relationship to body
Antero-posterior axis
front-to-back relationship to body
Flexion
decreasing the angle between two bones
Extension
increasing the angle between two bones
Abduction
Moving away from the midline
Adduction
Moving towards the midline
Internal Rotation
rotating towards the midline
External Rotation
rotating away from the midline
Circumduction
circular motion
Supination
lateral rotation of the hand and forearm
Pronation
medial rotation of the hand and forearm
Protraction
moving head in a forward position
