Basic Anatomical Terminology Flashcards
anatomical position
(1) head, eyes, & toes directed anteriorly, (2) upp limbs are by sides of body w/ palms facing anteriorly, (3) lower limbs are together w/ toes facing anteriorly
superior
toward head
inferior
toward feet
anterior (ventral)
front
posterior (dorsal)
back
medial
toward midline
lateral
farther from midline
ipsilateral
on same side of body
contralateral
on opposite side of body
proximal
closer to some point of reference
distal
farther from some point of reference
superficial
toward surface of body
deep
away from surface of body
sagittal plane
vertical plane which divides body/organ into right & left sides
midsagittal plane
equal right & left halves
parasagittal plane
unequal right & left halves
frontal (coronal) plane
divides body/organ into anterior & posterior portions
transverse (horizontal, cross-section) plane
divides body/organ into superior & inferior portions
flexion
decreases angle b/n bones
extension
increases angle b/n bones
abduction
movement of limbs away from body (fingers or toes - spreading of these structures)
adduction
movement of limbs toward body (fingers or toes - drawing together of these structures)
circumduction
circular movement that’s a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, & adduction; occurs in such a way that the distal end of the part moves in a circle
rotation
involves turning or revolving a part of the body around its longitudinal axis (e.g. turning the head to the side)
medial rotation
turns anterior surface of a limb closer to the median plane
lateral rotation
turns the anterior surface of a limb away from the median plane