Introduction to Anatomy: Vocabulary Flashcards
Anatomical Position
Standing upright
Palms of hands facing forward
Feet together
Medial
Used to indicate that a structure is nearer to the median plane of the body
For example: the 5th digit of the hand (little finger) is medial to the other digits
Lateral
Lateral stipulates that a structure is father away from the median plane
Example: The 1st digit of the hand (thumb) is lateral to the other digits.
Name the 4 anatomical planes:
A:
B:
C:
D:
A: Median Plane (median sagittal plane): Verticle plane passing longitudinally through the center of the body, dividing it into left and right halves (middle of sagittal plane)
B: Frontal/Coronal Plane: Vertical plane passing through the body at a right angle to the medial plane, divides body into anterior (ventral) and posterior (dorsal) halves
C: Horizontal/axial/transverse/cross-sectional plane: horizontal plane passing through th ebody at right angles to the medial and frontal planes, dividing the body into superior and inferior (top and bottom) halves
D: Sagittal Plane (longitudinal plane): Vertical plane passing through the body parallel to the median plane
Oblique Plane:
A plane that is any type of angle that is not a horizontal or vertical angle
Median Plane of the hand and foot
Hand: Verticle plane through the middle finger (use middle finger as midline)
Example: The index finger is more medial than the thumb when using the median plane of the hand.
Foot: Use 3rd toe as midline (with toes pointed anterior = forward)
Ecample: The 2nd and 3rd toes are more medial than the big and pinky toes.
Superior (cranial)
Superior (cranial): refers to a structure being closer to the top of the head than another structure (opposite inferior)
Inferior (caudal)
Inferior (caudal): refers to a structure being closer to the feet or the lower part of the body than another structure in the body (oppsite superior)
Medial
Medial: refers to a structure that is closer to the median plane than another (opposite lateral)
Ex: The pinky of hand is medial to other digits
Lateral
Lateral: refers to a structure that is father away from the median plane than another (opposite medial)
Example: The thumb is lateral to other digits.
Proximal
Proximal: with reference to the limbs, refers to a structure being closer to the median plane or root of the lumb than another (opposite = distal)
Distal
Distal: With reference to the limbs, refers to a structure being father from the median plane or the root of the limb than another (opposite proximal)
Posterior (dorsal)
Posterior (dorsal): Refers to a structure that is more in back than another (opposite anterior/ventral)
Anterior (ventral)
Anterior (ventral): Refers to a structure being more in front than another structure (opposite proximal/dorsal)
Rostral
Refers to a beak like structure in the front of the head or brain that projects forward (opposite caudal)
Superficial vs. Deep
Superficial: “external”, closer to the surface of the body
Deep: “internal”, farther away from the surface of the body
Ipsilateral vs. Contralateral
Ipsilateral: On the “same side” (as the reference point)
Contralateral: On the “opposite site” (of the reference point)
Flexion/Extension
Flexion of a joint makes a body part move in a forwards direction from the anatomical position.
-decrease joint angle (from anatomical position)
= bending joint
Ex: Flex neck to bring head closer to chest
Extension of a joint makes a body part move in a backwards direction.
-increase joint angle (from anatomical position)
= straightening joint
*exception: knee joint: flexion moves lower leg backward, extension moves lower leg forwards
Lateral Flexion/Lateral Extension
Lateral Flexion: Displacement of the trunk away from the midline (in the frontal plane)
Ex: bending spine to the side, away from the center (medial line) of the body
Lateral Extension: Displacement of the drunk towards the midline
Ex: bending spine towards the midline of the body
Terms of movement in axial muscles
A)
B)
C)
D)
E)
F)
A) Extension
B) Flexion
C) Lateral flexion
D) Lateral extension
E) Rotation of head and neck
F) Rotations of upper trunk
Abduction/Adduction
Abduction of a joint makes a body part move away from the midline of the body in the anatomical position.
Ex: Arms up like jumping jack
Adduction of a joint makes a body part move towards the midline of the body.
Ex: Moving arms back down to side
Lateral Rotation/Medial Rotation
Lateral Rotation: external rotation = rotate joint away from midline
Medial Rotation: internal rotation = rotate joint towards midline
Circumduction
Circumduction: Circumduction is a circular movement that involves sequential flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction (or in the opposite order) in such a way that the distal end of the part moves in a circle
Terms of movement in Appendicular Muscles:
(excluding wrist and foot, plus one not shown)
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H (I = not shown)
A: Flexion
B: Extension
C: Flexion
D: Extension
E: Abduction
F: Adduction
G: Lateral (external) rotation
H: Medial (internal) rotation
I: Circumduction (not shown)
