Language of Anatomy Flashcards

1
Q

What is the anatomical position and what does it look like?

A

Reference position to describe all comparative and some absolute terms to navigate around the body

Standing erect, eyes looking forwards, body over the hips and so a perfect line of balance, feet together, arms by the side, palms facing forwards

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2
Q

What is meant by the terms:

Bilateral

Unilateral

Ipsilateral

Contralateral

A

Bilateral - two of the same structure on either side of the body e.g. eyes, ears, upper limbs etc.

Unilateral - one of that structure e.g. spleen

Ipsilateral - a structure is on the same side of the body as another structure

Contralateral - a structure is on the opposite side of the body as another structure

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3
Q

What is meant by the terms: superior, inferior, posterior, anterior, medial, lateral, external and internal?

A

Superior - above

Inferior - below

Posterior - back / behind

Anterior - in front / ahead

Medial - towards the middle of the body

Lateral - towards the side of the body

External and internal tend to refer to the surfaces of the same structure:

External - on the outside

Internal - towards the inside

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4
Q

What is meant by the terms: superficial, deep, distal, proximal, dorsal, ventral, rostral and caudal?

A

Superficial - towards the surface / shallow

Deep - further away from the surface / more into the body

Distal and proximal tend to be used to describe limbs:

Distal - further away from the centre of the body in the anatomical position

Proximal - towards the centre of the body in the anatomical position

Dorsal - relating to the back of a structure

Ventral - relating to the front of a structure

Rostral - situated towards the oral / nasal region

Caudal - situated towards the hind region

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5
Q

The following set of terms are used to describe movement, typically of the limbs

What is meant by the terms:

Flexion

Extension

A

Flexion - a movement that results in a reduction in the angle between the two bones (a joint)

Extension - a movement that results in an increase in the angle between the two bones (a joint)

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6
Q

What are the set of terms that are used to describe the movement of the upper limbs only?

A

Pronation

and Supination

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7
Q

What is meant by the terms:

Pronation

Supination

A

These two positions are to do with the radius and ulnar bones in the arm

The anatomical position lies in the supinated position, with the palm facing forwards

Supination - palm facing forwards

Pronation is when the radius is rotated around the ulnar so the thumb lies closer to the middle of the body

Pronation - dorsum of the hand facing forwards

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8
Q

These terms are used to describe movement of the limbs

What is meant by the terms:

Medial rotation

Lateral rotation

A

Medial rotation - also referred to as internal rotation, rotational movement towards the midline e.g. humerus of the arm rotating inwards towards the body

Lateral rotation - also referred to as external rotation, rotational movement away from the midline e.g. humerus of the arm rotating outwards away from the body

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9
Q

What is circumduction?

A

A combination of movements e.g. abduction and lateral rotation

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10
Q

Which regions of the trunk can have lateral flexion? Describe the movement:

A

The cervical and lumbar regions

Cervical spine - placing your ear on your shoulder is lateral flexion of the cervical region

Lumbar spine - bending at the waist towards one side is lateral flexion of the lumbar region

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11
Q

Can there be rotation of the spine and how would this be possible?

A

Rotation of the head on the cervical spine

If the chin is brought as laterally far as possible i.e. chin above the shoulder

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12
Q

What is meant by the terms:

Elevation

Depression

Where are elevation and depression commonly tested clinically?

A

Elevation - movement in the superior direction

Depression - movement in the inferior direction

The elevation and depression of shoulders

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13
Q

What is meant by the terms:

Protrusion

Retrusion

To which part of the body are these terms generally restricted to?

A

Protrusion - movement straight ahead / forwards

Retrusion - movement straight behind / backwards

Usually used to describe the movement of the mandible e.g. during chewing

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14
Q

What is meant by the terms:

Protraction

Retraction

To which body part are these movements in relation to?

A

Protraction - movement of the shoulder (usually) in the anterior direction e.g. reaching forward to grab something

Retraction - shoulder moving posteriorly and medially towards the vertebral column

Scapula around the thorax (scapula = flat triangular shaped bone typically known as the ‘shoulder blade’ found in the upper thoracic region)

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15
Q

What is the palmar surface of the hand?

What is the dorsum / dorsal surface of the hand?

What are the 4 movements of the fingers?

A

Palmar - palm facing upwards

Dorsum / dorsal - back of the hand facing upwards

Flexion and extension

Abduction and adduction - based around the middle finger, so spreading the fingers is abduction, putting the fingers close together so they touch, is adduction

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16
Q

What are the 5 movements of the thumb and describe them?

A

Abduction - thumb movement away from the palm at a right angle

Adduction - thumb movement towards the palm at a right angle

Extension - thumb movement away from the palm on the same plane as the hand

Flexion - thumb movement towards the palm on the same plane as the hand

Opposition - thumb and little finger touching at their tips

17
Q

What is the dorsal surface of the foot?

What is the plantar surface of the foot?

What are the 2 movements around the ankle joint?

What are the 2 movements around the subtalar joint?

A

Dorsal - top of the foot

Plantar - underneath the foot, the surface you stand on

Ankle joint:

Dorsi flexion - movement of the top of the foot up towards the shin

Plantar flexion - movement of the top of the foot away from the shin

Subtalar joint (found beneath the ankle joint):

Inversion - movements that tilt the sole / plantar surface of the foot towards towards the midline

Eversion - movements that tilt the sole / plantar surface of the foot away from the midline of the body

18
Q

What are the 3 anatomical planes and describe them?

A

Axial - also known as horizontal or transverse, at 90 degrees to its long axis of the body, going up and down

Saggital - along the long axis of the body, going from left to right

Coronal - along the long axis of the body, going from front to back