Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
Anterior/Posterior
Ant: Refers to the front surfaces of the body (in front of)
Pos: Refers to the back surfaces of the body
Superior/Inferior
Sup: Refers to upward surfaces
Inf: Refers to downward surfaces
Medial/Lateral
Med: Towards the midline or median plane
Lat: Away from the midline or median plane
Proximal/Distal
Pro: Towards the point of attachment of the limb to the body
Dis: Farther away from the point of attatchment
Superficial/Deep
Sup: On, or close to the surface of the body
Deep: Farther away from the surface of the body
Frontal Plane
The frontal (coronal) plane is vertical and extends from one side of the body to the other side
Transverse Plane
The transverse (horizontal) plane is horizontal and divides the body into upper and lower segments
Sagittal Plane
The sagittal (median) plane is vertical and extends from the front of the body to the back
Horizontal Axis
Extends from one side of the body to the other
Longitudinal Axis
Aka the polar axis, vertical and runs from head to toe
Antero-posterior Axis
Extends from the front of the body to the back
Flexion/Extension
F:The action of bending at a joint such that the joint angle decreases
E:Opposite of flexion. It occurs when you increase the joint angle (straightening your arm)
Abduction/Adduction
Ab:Occurs when you move a body segment to the side and away from your body
Ad:The opposite of abduction and occurs when you move a body segment towards your body
Supination/Pronation
S:Rotating the wrist such that the palm of your hand is facing forward (catching a softball)
P:Opposite direction of supination (dribbling a basketball)
Plantar Flexion/Dorsiflexion
P:Specific to the ankle joint. Occurs when you point your toes (standing on your tip toes)
D:Specific to the ankle joint. Occurs when you bend at the ankle to bring the top of your foot closer to your shin (essential when walking, jumping, or sprinting)
Inversion/Eversion
I:Associated with the ankle joint. It is a result of standing on the outer edge of your foot (twisting your ankle)
E:Associated with the ankle joint. A result of standing on the inner edge of your foot.
External Rotation/Internal Rotation
E:When you twist/turn a body part outward from the midline. (You externally rotate your foot when you turn your toes outward)
I:When you twist/turn your body towards the midline (turning your toes inward)
Circumduction
Combo of flexion, extension, abduction, adduction (throwing a softball with a windmill action)
Elevation/Depression
E:Movement in a superior direction (hunching shoulders)
D:Movement in an inferior direction (slouching shoulders)
Protraction/Retraction
P:Moving in an anterior direction (sticking your chin out)
R:Moving in a posterior direction (squeezing shoulder blades)
Opposition/Reposition
O: When the thumb comes into contact with one of the other fingers
R: When thumb is returned to anatomical position
