Directional Terms, Skeletal Anatomy Flashcards
What is anatomical position and what does it look like?
Starting reference point Universally accepted Standing erect, facing forward, arms at sides, palms facing forward, legs straight, heels feet and great toes parallel to each other
Lateral
Away from midline
Medial
Towards the midline
Distal
Further from specific region (distant)
Proximal
Closer to specific region (approximately, close proximity)
Anterior
In front of/front half of body
Posterior
Behind/back half of body
Superior
Above
Inferior
Below
Supine
Lying on back (bench pressing)
Prone
Lying face down (push-uping)
Median/midsagittal/sagittal plane
Vertical plane that cuts body into left and right halves
Coronal/frontal plane
Vertical plane that cuts body into front and back halves
Transverse/horizontal plane
Horizontal plane that cuts body into top and bottom halves
Centre of gravity
Where all 3 planes meet
Flexion
Reduces angle between 2 bones at a joint
Extension
Increases angle between 2 bones at a joint
Dorsiflexion
Bring toes and top of foot towards leg
Plantar flexion
Pointing toes down “planting foot”
Abduction
Moving segment away from midline
Adduction
Moving segment towards midline
Circumduction
Cone motion, but is not rotation flexion/extension + abduction/adduction
Rotation
Turning bone on its horizontal axis
Medial rotation
Rotation towards midline
Lateral rotation
Rotation away from midline
Pronation
When palm is turned to face posteriorly