Anatomical Positions

Question 1

Coronal Plane

Answer 1

Parallel to coronal suture. Divides body into front and back sections.

Question 2

Sagittal Plane

Answer 2

Parallel to sagittal suture. Divides body into left and right sections

Question 3

Median Plane

Answer 3

Sagittal plane passing directly down the middle of the body.

Question 4

Para-sagittal Plane

Answer 4

Sagittal planes not passing directly through the middle.

Question 5

Axial Plane

Answer 5

Perpendicular to both sagittal and coronal planes. Pass through horizontally or in transverse direction.

Question 6

Oblique Plane

Answer 6

Any plane not parallel to one of the three cardinal planes.

Question 7

Anterior (Ventral)/Posterior (Dorsal)

Answer 7

Front/Back

Question 8

Medial/Lateral

Answer 8

Closer to the medial plane/Further from the medial plane

Question 9

Superior (Cranial)/Inferior (Caudal)

Answer 9

Towards the top of the head/Toward the bottom of the feet

Question 10

Intermediate

Answer 10

Between two structures. E.g. The knee is intermediate between the hip and the ankle

Question 11

Proximal/Distal

Answer 11

Towards the trunk/Away from the trunk

Question 12

Superficial/Deep

Answer 12

Closer to the body surface/Deep away from the body surface

Question 13

Interior/Exterior

Answer 13

Nearer the centre of an organ or cavity/Further from the centre of an organ or cavity

Question 14

Ipsilateral/Contralateral

Answer 14

Same side of body/Opposite side of body

Question 15

Flexion/Extension/Hyperextension

Answer 15

Decreasing angle between bones/Straightening of a flexed part/Movement beyond the that necessary to straighten the joint

Question 16

Abduction/Adduction

Answer 16

Moving apart or away from the median plane/Moving together or towards the median plane

Question 17

Elevation/Depression

Answer 17

Lifting, raising or moving a part superiorly/Lowering or moving a part inferiorly

Question 18

Protraction/Retraction

Answer 18

Moving something anteriorly/Moving something posteriorly

Question 19

Circumduction

Answer 19

Draw around or form a circle. Combination of flexion, abduction, extension and adduction.

Question 20

Supination/Pronation

Answer 20

Rotation of forearm so palm faces anteriorly/Rotation of forearm so palm faes posteriorly

Question 21

Opposition/Reposition

Answer 21

Bringing the thumb across to the finger pads/Returning the thumb back to the anatomical position

Question 22

Dorsiflexion/Plantarflexion

Answer 22

Decrease angle of the ankle/Increase angle of the ankle

Question 23

Name 3 Gait disorders and explain them

Answer 23

1. Antalgic Gait: shortened stance phase on the affected side, usually due to pain
2. Cerebellar Ataxia: slow pace and wide based stance, due to loss of balance. (E.g. central neurological problem)
3. High stoppage gait: weakness of dorsiflexion, high stepping gait with no heel strike. (E.g. central neurological problem, peripheral nerve problem, muscular problem).