Anatomical Terminology

Question 1

Describe the anatomical position

Answer 1

• Standing upright with the face and palms facing forwards

Question 2

Name and define the terms used to describe body position

Answer 2

• Anterior and posterior (also know as ventral and dorsal when walking about the torso) – refers to front and back of the body
• Medial and lateral – positions relative to one another, and nearer or further away from the midline
• Ipsilateral and contralateral: same side and opposite side
• Proximal and distal – closer to or further away from the trunk
• Superficial and deep (profundus) – towards the skin or deep to
• Superior and inferior – above and below relatively
• Cranial and caudal – head end and tail end
• Supine – lying on back
• Prone – lying on front
• Right/left lateral recumbent – right/left side lying

Question 3

Define the following planes of sectional anatomy and terms associated with them:
* Sagittal (and true sagittal)
* Coronal/mid-coronal
* Transverse
* Oblique

Answer 3

• Sagittal: divides the body right and left.
  True sagittal: median
• Corona/mid-coronal: Frontal plane, splits the body front and back. Mid-coronal: through the centre of the armpit – mid-axillary plane
• Transverse: Horizontal, splits the body top and bottom
• Oblique: Any plane between sagittal, coronal and transverse

Question 4

Define the terms used to describe the movement of the body – give examples

Answer 4

• Flexion and extension – closing the angle and increasing the angle
  (eg knee vs elbow)
• Abduction and adduction – away and towards the median line (in anatomical position limb is described as adducted, so anything further than this is abducted)
• Internal and external rotation – rotated inwards and outwards (also known as medial and lateral)
• Elevation and depression – lifted up and pushed down
  (eg shoulder blades)
• Protraction and retracted – pushed forward and pulled back (eg jaw)
• Pronation and supination – for wrist and hand, palms faced down and palms faced up
  (think anatomical position)
• Inversion and eversion – sole of foot turning inwards and outwards