Anatomy Flashcards
Anterior / Posterior
The sternum is anterior to the heart (so anterior also means “in front of”). The heart also has an anterior surface.
Superior / Inferior
Superior refers to upward surfaces, inferior refers to downward surfaces.
Medial / Lateral
Medial means towards the midline or towards the median plane, whereas lateral means away from the midline or away from the median plane.
Proximal / Distal
Proximal means towards the point of attachment of the limb to the body, whereas distal means farther away from the point of attachment.
Frontal Plane
The frontal (coronal) plane is vertical and extends from one side of the body to the other. AP Axis
Transverse Plane
The transverse (horizontal) plane is horizontal and divides the body into upper and lower segments. Horizontal Axis
Sagittal Plane
The sagittal (median) plane is vertical and extends from the front of the body to the back. Longitudinal Axis
GENERAL RULE FOR DESCRIBING A BODY MOVEMENT
The axis of rotation is always perpendicular to the plane of movement.
Flexion
is the action of bending at a joint such that the joint angle decreases (e.g., when you bend your elbow to bring your palm up towards your face)
Extension
is the opposite of flexion
Abduction
(“ab” = “from”) is when you move a body segment to the side and away from your body (e.g., moving your arm out to the side and bringing it level with your shoulder)
Adduction
(“ad” = “to”) is the opposite of abduction.
Plantar flexion
is specific to the ankle joint. It occurs when you point your toes (e.g., when you stand on your tip toes)
Dorsiflexion
occurs when you bend the ankle to bring the top of your foot closer to your shin.
Supination
is rotating the wrist such that the palm of your hand is facing forward (e.g., when you catch a softball underhanded with one hand)
Pronation
occurs in the opposite direction
Inversion
is associated with the ankle joint. It is a result of standing on the outer edge of your foot (e.g., when you twist your ankle)
Eversion
is a result of standing on the inner edge of your foot
External rotation
results when you twist or turn a body part outward from the midline (eg., turning your toes outward)
Internal rotation
results when you twist or turn a body part inward towards the midline.
Elevation
refers to movement in an upwards direction (e.g., hunching your shoulders)
Depression
is the opposite motion—movement in a downwards direction (e.g., slouching your shoulders)
Circumduction
is a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. An example of this movement is when a softball pitcher throws a ball with a “windmill” action.
Cancellous bone
contains little spaces like a sponge and is encased in the layers of compact bone
Compact bone
dense, hard layers of bone tissue that lie underneath the periosteum
functions of bone
support, protection, movement, storage, blood cell formation
bone
rigid connective tissue that makes up the skeleton of vertebrates
Ossification
converting tissue to bone