Term
| What is anatomical position? |
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Definition
| The standard positional reference orientation, in which the body is erect and facing forward, the upper limbs are by the sides with the palms facing forward, and the feet are on the ground with the toes pointing forward |
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Term
| What are the different planes of section? |
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Definition
Median = sagittal = midsagittal = median sagittal
•Divides the body into equal size right & left sections
•Parasagittal = paramedian = parallel to the sagittal. This divides the body into unequal size right & left sections
Front = coronal
•Divides the body into front & back sections
Horizontal (not necessarily equivalent to “transverse”)
•Perpendicular to both sagittal & coronal planes
Transverse = cross-sectional
-Perpendicular to the long axis of a structure |
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Term
| Explain anterior and posterior direction |
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Definition
Anterior = ventral = toward the front
Posterior = dorsal = toward the back |
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Term
| Explain superior and inferior direction |
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Definition
Superior = cranial = cephalic = rostral = toward the upper end
Inferior = caudal = toward the lower end |
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Term
| Explain medial and lateral direction |
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Definition
Medial / Lateral: Position relative to the median plane
•Medial = closer to the median plane
•Lateral = farther away from the median plane
•E.g. = In the head, the eyes are lateral to the nose, & the nose is medial to the eyes |
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Term
| Explain proximal and distal direction |
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Definition
Proximal/distal: Position relative to the core, root, or attached end
•Proximal = closer to the core
-Distal = farther away from core
•E.g. = In the upper limb, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow, & the fingers are distal to both shoulder & elbow |
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Term
| Explain internal/external direction |
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Definition
Internal/external: Position relative to the center of a structure or area
•Internal = inside
•External = outside
•E.g. = the thoracic cavity is an internal space in the trunk of the body. The skin is the external layer of the trunk |
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Term
| Explain superficial and deep direction |
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Definition
Superficial /Deep: Position relative to the surface of a structure or area
•Superficial = closer to surface
•Deep = farther away from the surface |
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Term
| Explain afferent and efferent direction |
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Definition
Afferent/Efferent: Direction of flow relative to a reference point
•Afferent = flow toward a reference point (afferent or sensory neurons relay input from periphery to spinal cord)
•Efferent = flow away from a reference point (efferent or motor neurons relay output from spinal cord to the periphery) |
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Term
| Explain ipsilateral and contralateral direction |
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Definition
Ipsilateral/Contralateral: Position relative to a reference side
•Ipsilateral = same side as the reference point
•Contralateral = opposite side from the reference point
•E.g. = The right ear is ipsilateral to the right eye. The left ear is contralateral to the right eye |
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Term
| Explain flexion and extension |
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Definition
•Flexion = decreasing the joint angle through the sagittal plane
Note: Flexion implies a more powerful, anti-gravity movement, directed toward the ventral side
•Extension = ↑ the joint angle through the sagittal plane
•Dorsiflexion = Lifting the top of the foot superiorly, toward the skin
•Plantar flexion = Moving the sole of the foot inferiorly, as in standing on the toes
oThese terms are used for movement of foot
oDorsiflexion = extension; plantar flexion = flexion |
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Term
| Explain abduction and adduction movements |
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Definition
•Abduction = Movement away from the midline through the frontal plane
•Adduction = Movement toward the midline through the frontal plane
•Inversion = Turning the sole of the foot medially
•Eversion = turning the sole of the foot laterally |
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Term
| Explain rotational movements |
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Definition
•Rotation: Turning about the long axis of a part without movement through space
oMedial (Internal) Roation: turning toward the midline
oLateral (External) Rotation: Turning away from the midline
•Circumduction:Transcribing a cone through space
oBase of cone = distal end of a bone/segment
oApex of cone = articular cavity of joint
oNote: Circumduction is actually a complex motion involving flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, & rotation
•Supination: turning the palm of hand anteriorly
•Pronation: Turning the palm of hand posteriorly
Note pronation/supination are special movements of the radius moving about the ulna, and are composed of both rotation (at the proximal end of the radius) and circumduction (at the distal end of the radius) |
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