IMMS Key Terms and Definitions

Question 1

Superior

Answer 1

Above.

Question 2

Inferior

Answer 2

Below.

Question 3

Anterior/ventral

Answer 3

Front (in front of).

Question 4

Posterior/dorsal

Answer 4

Back (behind).

Question 5

Medial

Answer 5

Closer to the centre line.

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Further from the centre line.

Question 7

Proximal

Answer 7

Closer to the origin.

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

Further from the origin.

Question 9

Ipsilateral

Answer 9

Same side of the body.

Question 10

Contralateral

Answer 10

The opposite side of the body.

Question 11

Deep

Answer 11

Further from the surface.

Question 12

Superficial

Answer 12

Closer to the surface.

Question 13

Supine (position)

Answer 13

Lying down on back, facing up.

Question 14

Prone (position)

Answer 14

Lying down on front, facing down.

Question 15

Cranial

Answer 15

Towards the head.

Question 16

Caudal

Answer 16

Towards the ‘tail’.

Question 17

Rostral

Answer 17

Towards the face.

Question 18

Coronal/frontal

Answer 18

Face-on, splitting into anterior and posterior.

Question 19

Sagittal

Answer 19

Side-on, splitting into a left and right side.

Question 20

Parasagittal

Answer 20

Sagittal, but parallel to the midline.

Question 21

Axial/transverse/horizontal

Answer 21

End-on, splitting into superior and inferior.

Question 22

Flexion

Answer 22

Bending (decreasing angle).

Question 23

Extension

Answer 23

Straightening (increasing angle).

Question 24

Lateral flexion

Answer 24

Unique to vertebral column - bending sideways.

Question 25

Abduction

Answer 25

Movement away from midline.

Question 26

Adduction

Answer 26

Movement towards the midline.

Question 27

Internal/medial rotation

Answer 27

Rotating towards the midline.

Question 28

External/lateral rotation

Answer 28

Rotating away from midline.

Question 29

Pronation

Answer 29

Unique to forearm - internal rotation of radius, palms face posteriorly.

Question 30

Supination

Answer 30

Unique to forearm - external rotation of radius, palms face anteriorly.

Question 31

Opposition

Answer 31

Unique to thumb and little finger - flexion and rotation so they can reach one another.

Question 32

Circumduction

Answer 32

Combination of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction so a circular pattern is traced.

Question 33

Dorsiflexon

Answer 33

Unique to ankle - foot and toes move superiorly.

Question 34

Plantarflexion

Answer 34

Unique to ankle - foot and toes move inferiorly.

Question 35

Inversion

Answer 35

Unique to foot - medial flexion, sole faces medially.

Question 36

Eversion

Answer 36

Unique to foot - lateral flexion, sole faces laterally.

Question 37

Protraction

Answer 37

Unique to scapula and mandible - moving either anteriorly.

Question 38

Retraction

Answer 38

Unique to scapula and mandible - moving either posteriorly.

Question 39

Elevation

Answer 39

Unique to scapula and mandible - moving either superiorly.

Question 40

Depression

Answer 40

Unique to scapula and mandible - moving either inferiorly.