Anatomical Terminology, Position,

and Movement

PSK 4U

North Grenville DHS

S. Kelly

The Anatomical Position

The starting point for describing ALL anatomical and physiological features

Upright, standing

Head, eyes, toes forward

Feet together (or close)

Arms straight, slightly away from side / hips

Palms of hands are facing forwards

Body Movement

All body movement is described in terms of the

anatomical plane through which it occurs and

the axis of rotation around which it occurs

Movements and locations use the anatomical

position as a starting point

GENERAL RULE: The axis of rotation is

perpendicular to the plane of movement (this

will probably be mentioned again…)

Anatomical Planes

Anatomical Planes: positions in space

Transverse: divides body into superior and inferior segments

Median/saggital: divides into medial and lateral segments

Frontal/coronal: divides into anterior and posterior segments

Anatomical Axes

Used to describe rotation of muscles and bones

Longitudinal/polar: north-south orientation

Horizontal/bilateral/transverse: east-west

orientation

Antero-posterior: front-to-back orientation

Some Basic Relationships

Axis of

Rotation

Plane of

Movement

Example of

Motion

Horizontal/

Bilateral/Transverse

Saggital Flexion, Extension

Longitudinal/Polar

Transverse Rotation of

extremities, axial

rotation

Antero-Posterior Coronal Abduction,

adduction

Some Hints…

Axis of rotation is always perpendicular to the plane of movement (still!!)

From the anatomical position,

- all flexion/extension = saggital plane

- abduction/adduction = frontal plane

- rotation = transverse plane

Complicated movements usually involve more than one plane and axis.

Want to hear it explained again? Watch this…

Where is it? Location terminology

Anterior: (toward the) front surface of body

Posterior: (toward the) back surface of body

Superior: upward or above

Inferior: downward or below

Medial: towards (closer to) the midline

Lateral: away from (further from) the midline

Proximal: towards the point of attachment

Distal: further from the point of attachment

Superficial: on or close to the surface

Deep: under or away from the surface

Flexion / Extension

Flexion: decreasing an

angle at a joint

Ex: performing a biceps

curl angle between

forearm and upper arm

decreases

Extension: increasing

an angle at a joint

Opposite of flexion

Abduction / Adduction, Rotation

Abduction: moving a body

segment (ex: arm) to the

side and away from body

Adduction: moving a body

segment towards the body

(opposite of abduction).

Rotation: Twisting or

turning a body part AWAY

from midline

(external/lateral rotation)

or TOWARDS midline

(internal/medial rotation)

Pronation / Supination

Pronation: rotating WRIST

so that palm faces

downwards/backwards

Ex: dribbling a basketball

Supination: rotating

WRIST so that palm faces

upwards/forwards

Ex: catching a ball below

your waist

Later, we will cover what

this means at the ANKLE

(weight-bearing)

Plantar/Dorsiflexion; Inversion/Eversion

Plantar flexion: point

toes towards ground

(stand on toes)

Dorsiflexion: point toes

up (towards shin)

Inversion: sole of foot

pointed in, weight on

outside edge of foot

Eversion: sole of foot

pointed out, weight on

inside edge of foot

Elevation/Depression,

Protraction/Retraction

Elevation: raising a body segment to a more superior position

Depression: pushing a body segment down to a more inferior position (opposite of elevation)

Protraction: moving body segment in an anterior direction

Retraction: opposite of protraction (posterior direction)

Opposition / Reposition

Opposition: Bringing

thumb into contact with

one of the other 4 digits

Combination of flexion,

abduction, medial rotation

Often described as what

differentiates human hand

function from that of other

animals

Reposition: returning the

thumb to the anatomical

position (combo action)

What’s next?

Know these terms, use them, learn them.

To help you: check/download/complete the Movements

and Planes worksheet located on our course website

Tomorrow: The Skeletal System part I… and maybe

some project stuff

Friday: Anatomy 1

Questions? In class or email as always…