Movement Terminology

Question 1

This plane runs vertically in an anterior/posterior direction and divides the body equally into right and left portions

Answer 1

mid-sagittal (a.k.a. median) plane

Question 2

Any plane that is parallel to the mid-sagittal plane is called the…

Answer 2

sagittal plane

Question 3

This plane runs vertically in a superior/inferior direction and divides the part of the body into anterior and posterior portions

Answer 3

frontal/coronal plane

Question 4

This plane runs horizontally and divides the part of the body into superior and inferior portions

Answer 4

transverse/horizontal plane

Question 5

This is an imaginary line around which movements occur in the horizontal plane

Answer 5

vertical (a.k.a. longitudinal) axis

Question 6

This is an imaginary line around which movements occur in the sagittal/mid-sagittal plane

Answer 6

medial-lateral (M-L) axis

Question 7

This is an imaginary line around which movements occur in the frontal plane

Answer 7

anterior-posterior (A-P) axis

Question 8

What angle is a plane in relation to an axis?

Answer 8

90 degrees

Question 9

Movements in the _____ plane happen around the medial-lateral axis?

Answer 9

Sagittal/mid-sagittal

Question 10

Movements in the frontal plane happen around which axis?

Answer 10

anterior-posterior (A-P) axis

Question 11

Movements in the transverse/horizontal plane happen around which axis?

Answer 11

longitudinal/vertical axis

Question 12

A movement in the sagittal plane around a medial-lateral axis that moves a part of the body anteriorly from anatomical position (applies only to upper limb)

Answer 12

flexion (abbr. fl.)

Question 13

A movement in the sagittal plane around a medial-lateral axis that bends the joint or decreases the angle between body parts

Answer 13

flexion (abbr. fl.)

Question 14

A movement in the sagittal plane around a medial-lateral axis that moves the part of the body posteriorly from anatomical position (applies only to upper limb)

Answer 14

extension (abbr. ext.)

Question 15

A movement in the sagittal plane around a medial-lateral axis that straightens the joint or increases the angle between body parts

Answer 15

extension (abbr. ext.)

Question 16

A movement in the frontal plane around an anterior-posterior axis that moves the body part away from the median plane

Answer 16

abduction

Question 17

A movement in the frontal plane around an anterior-posterior axis that moves the body part towards the median plane

Answer 17

adduction

Question 18

A movement in the transverse plane around a vertical axis that moves the body part outwards

Answer 18

external rotation (abbr. ER)

Question 19

A movement in the transverse plane around a vertical axis that moves the body part inwards

Answer 19

internal rotation (medial rotation) (abbr. IR)

Question 20

For example, turning your head to the right would be referred to as…

Answer 20

Right lateral rotation of the spine

Question 21

Rotational movements of the forearm or foot: for example, turning a doorknob clockwise with your right hand would be…

Answer 21

supination (think palms up; like supine position)

Question 22

Rotational movements of the forearm or foot: for example, turning a doorknob counter-clockwise with your right hand would be…

Answer 22

pronation (think palms down; like prone position)

Question 23

A combination movement is referred to as

Answer 23

circumduction

Question 24

Movement of the humerus in the transverse plane toward the midline of the body

Answer 24

-horizontal adduction (a.k.a. horizontal flexion)

Question 25

Movement of the humerus in the transverse plane away from the midline of the body

Answer 25

-horizontal abduction (a.k.a. horizontal extension)

Question 26

How are abduction and adduction referenced when considering the phalanges of the foot?

Answer 26

Everything moving away/toward the 2nd toe (abd away; add toward)