Planes of Motion

Question 1

Median Plane of Motion (A.K.A. Mid-Sagittal)

Answer 1

slices the body right down the middle into equal right and left halves. It refers to the head and the spine bending forward (flexing) and backward (extending). Nodding your head when saying “yes” or performing an abdominal crunch are examples of movements in the median plane.

Question 2

Sagittal Plane of Motion

Answer 2

slices the body into unequal left and right parts. All movements of your arms and legs moving forward (flexing) or backward (extending) occur in the sagittal plane.

Question 3

Frontal Plane of Motion

Answer 3

slices the body into front (anterior) and back (posterior) parts. Raising and lowering your arms and legs sideways such as when performing a “jumping jack” is an example of the frontal plane. This plane is also known as the coronal plane of motion.

Question 4

Transverse Plane of Motion

Answer 4

slices your body into upper and lower parts. Rotating your head as when saying “no” is an example of the transverse plane. Swinging your arms across your body such as when hugging yourself or performing a “pec deck” exercise are more examples of this plane of motion.

Question 5

Human Anatomy

Answer 5

The scientific study of the structure and parts of a human (e.g. heart, lungs, muscles).

Question 6

Physiology

Answer 6

The scientific study of the process by which the parts of the body function or operate together (e.g.
breathing, brain function, blood circulation).

Question 7

Kinesiology

Answer 7

The scientific study of human movement (e.g. identifying the muscles involved in a squat).

Question 8

The Anatomical Reference Position

Answer 8

A person standing erect with the head, eyes and palms facing forward. The feet are together with the toes pointing forward and the arms hanging straight by the sides. It is used as the starting reference point to describe movements of limbs away from and towards it or the location of one body part versus another