Anatomical Terms of Position/Movement

Question 1

Flexion

Answer 1

Movement generally in the sagittal plane that decreases the joint angle and brings two bones closer together

Example -
Crunch

Question 2

Extension

Answer 2

Opposite of flexion, a movement increasing the angle or the distance between two bones or body parts

If extension exceeds 180 it is referred to as hypertension

Question 3

Median Plane/sagittal plane

Answer 3

Centrally divides the body into symmetrical right and left halves

Flexion and extension such as the knee

Question 4

Frontal/coronal plane

Answer 4

“Crown” centrally divides the body into symmetrical front and back halves (anterior and posterior)

Movement in this plane is adduction and abduction

Question 5

Transverse/horizontal plane

Answer 5

Divides the body into symmetrical upper and lower halves (superior and inferior parts)

Movement in this plane is lateral rotation

Question 6

Abduction “ABDuction”

Answer 6

Movement of the limb (in the frontal plane) away from the mid-line of the body

Also relates to spreading of the fingers and toes

Question 7

Adduction - ADDuction

Answer 7

Movement of a limb towards the midline of the body

Question 8

Rotation

Answer 8

Movement around a longitudinal axis

Usually a ball and socket joint, also present in the cervical spine

Question 9

Circumduction

Answer 9

Combination of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction

Possible only at the shoulder and hip joints - ball and socket joints

Question 10

Pronation

Answer 10

Occurs in the forearm as the palm of the hand moves palm down from an upward facing position

Also pronating in legs - more pressure on inside foot

Question 11

Supination

Answer 11

Opposite of pronation

When the forearm is supinate, the ulna and radius are parallel

Also supinating In legs - more pressure on outside of foot

Question 12

Prone

Answer 12

Face down

Question 13

Supine

Answer 13

Face up - ie on your spine

Question 14

Medial

Answer 14

Closer to the median plane

Question 15

Lateral

Answer 15

Further from the median plane

Question 16

Posterior

Answer 16

Facing toward or located at the back

Question 17

Anterior

Answer 17

Facing toward or located at the front

Question 18

Proximal

Answer 18

Closer to the trunk, or some major joint

Question 19

Distal

Answer 19

Further from the trunk, or some major joint

Question 20

Superior

Answer 20

Facing toward or located at the top (closer to the head)

Question 21

Inferior

Answer 21

Facing toward or located at the bottom

Question 22

Inversion

Answer 22

Turning the sole of the foot so it faces medially - it is a combination of adduction and plantar flexion

Question 23

Eversion

Answer 23

Turning the foot so it faces laterally - it is a combination of abduction and dorsiflexion

Question 24

Proprioception

Answer 24

Where you are in space - balance

Question 25

Kinetic chain

Answer 25

Refers to the biomechanics of the body and to the end of the chain

Also refers to the body as a chain of alignment from head to toe

Question 26

Open chain

Answer 26

If the end of a chain (hands/feet) are left free to move it is called open chain

Question 27

Closed chain

Answer 27

When that same hand/foot is met with resistance (weight machine) it is a closed chain