Planes and Axes

Question 1

what are planes of movement?

Answer 1

imaginary flat surfaces that divide the body and show the direction of movement

Question 2

frontal plane (2)

Answer 2

• divides into front and back
• movement = side to side

Question 3

sagittal plane (2)

Answer 3

• divides into right and left
• movement = forward, backward, up, down

Question 4

transverse plane (2)

Answer 4

• divides into top and bottom
• movement = rotation

Question 5

what are axes of movement?

Answer 5

imaginary lines around which the body or a body part rotates

Question 6

longitudinal axis (2)

Answer 6

• runs from top to bottom
• joint actions: horizontal extension, horizontal flexion

Question 7

frontal axis (2)

Answer 7

• runs from front to back
• joint actions: abduction, adduction

Question 8

transverse axis (2)

Answer 8

• runs from side to side
• joint actions: flexion, extension, plantar + dorsi-flexion

Question 9

what is the acronym to remember which planes go with which axes?

Answer 9

ST FF TL

sagittal plane and transverse axis
frontal plane and frontal axis
transverse plane and longitudinal axis