TERMS OF POSITION AND MOVEMENT Flashcards
Define the anatomical position.
The body position as if the person were standing up straight, with:
- the head, eyes and toes faced forward
- arms next to the sides with palms anterior
- lower limbs together w/ feet //
Define the terms anterior, posterior, superior, inferior.
Anterior: front surface
Posterior: back surface
Superior: towards the head
Inferior: away from the head
Define the terms medial, lateral, superficial, deep, proximal, and distal.
Medial: nearer to the median plane
Lateral: further away from the median plane
Superficial: closer to the surface of the body
Deep: further away from the surface of the body
Proximal: point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
Distal: further from the limb point of attachment to the body trunk
Define median, transverse, sagittal, and coronal planes.
Median plane: a vertical plane that passes longitudinally through the body and splits the body into equal left & right halves.
Coronal (frontal) plane: a vertical plane that divides the body into an anterior and posterior part.
Sagittal planes: vertical planes that pass through the body and are // to the median plane.
Transverse planes: horizontal planes that pass through the body at right angles to the median and frontal plane.
Differentiate between a longitudinal and cross-section of a structure.
Longitudinal section: run // to the long axis of the body or any of its parts.
Cross-section: slices of the body or any of its parts that are cut at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the body.
Define flexion and extension and in what pane it occurs.
Generally occur in the sagittal planes of the body:
Flexion: decreasing the < between the bones /parts of the body and in an anterior direction.
Extension: increasing the < between the bones/parts of the body and in a posterior direction.
Define abduction and adduction and in what plane it occurs.
Generally occurs in the frontal plane:
Abduction: moving away from the median plane.
Adduction: moving towards the median plane.
Define medial and lateral rotation.
Medial rotation: brings the anterior surface of a limb closer to the median plane.
Lateral rotation: takes the anterior surface of a limb away from the median plane.
Define pronation and supination.
Pronation: rotates the radius medially so that the palm of the hand faces posteriorly and the dorsum faces anteriorly.
Supination: returns the pronated arm to anatomical position.
Define eversion and inversion.
Eversion: moves the sole of the foot away from the median plane, turning it laterally.
Inversion: moves the sole of the foot towards the median plane.
Define opposition and reposition.
Opposition: pad of the thumb is brought to another digit pad (the pinch of a button of a shirt).
Reposition: thumb moves back to anatomical position.
Define protraction and retraction:
Used for anterolateral and posteromedial movements of the scapula on the thoracic wall.
Define elevation and depression:
Elevation: moves a part superiorly.
Depression: moves a part inferiorly.
List & explain the 5 levels of organization of the body in increasing complexity.
- Chemical level
Atoms and molecules form protoplasm. - Cellular level
Each cell consists of a protoplasm and specializes to perform certain functions. - Tissue level
A large # of cells specialized to perform the same function. - Organ level
Tissues are arranged to perform the same function together. - System-level
Highest organizational level and performs complex functions of the body.
Define microscopic anatomy.
The study of anatomy by means of a microscope.
