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…