Anatomical Directional Terminology Kinesiology 100

Anatomical directions

Anatomical directions Anterior: in front or in the front part Contralateral: pertaining or relating to the opposite side Distal: situated away from the center or midline of the body, or from the point of origin Dorsal: relating to the back, posterior Inferior: below in relation to another structure Ipsilateral: on the same side Lateral: on or to the side, outside, farther from the median or midsaggital plane

Anatomical directions Medial: relating to the middle or center, nearer to the medial or midsaggital plane Posterior: behind, in back, or in the rear Prone: the body lying face downward, stomach lying Proximal: nearest the trunk or the point of origin Superior: (supra) above in relation to another structure, higher Supine: lying on the back, face upward position of the body Ventral: relating to the belly or abdomen

Planes of Motion

Planes of Motion Transverse (or Horizontal): divides the body horizontally into superior and inferior halves Generally, rotational movements such as pronation, supination, & spinal rotation occur in this plane Frontal (or Lateral): bisects the body laterally from side to side. It divides it into front and back halves Abduction, adduction, & spinal lateral flexion occur in this plane Saggital (or Anteroposterior): bisects the body from front to back. It divides it into right and left halves Generally, flexion & extension movements occur in this plane

Movement in Joints

Movement in Joints Abduction: lateral movement away from the midline of the trunk Adduction: movement medially toward the midline of the trunk Flexion: bending movement that results in a decrease of the angle of a joint by bringing bones together Extension: straightening movement that results in an increase of the angle in a joint by moving bones apart Circumduction: circular movement of a limb that describes a cone, combining the movements of flexion, extension, abduction, & adduction External rotation: rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of a bone away from the midline of the body Internal rotation: rotary movement around the longitudinal axis of a bone toward the midline of the body

Movement in Joints Ankle & Foot: Radioulnar joint: Eversion: turning the soul of the foot outward or laterally Inversion: turning the soul of the foot inward or medially Dorsal flexion: flexion movement of the ankle that results in the top of foot moving toward the anterior tibia bone Plantar flexion: extension movement of the ankle that results in the foot and or toes moving away from the body Radioulnar joint: Pronation: internally rotating the radius where it lies diagonally across the ulna, resulting in the palm-down position of the forearm Supination: externally rotating the radius where it lies parallel to the ulna, resulting in the palm-up position of the forearm

Movement in Joints Shoulder girdle & shoulder joint: Spine: Depression: inferior movement of the shoulder girdle Elevation: superior movement of the shoulder girdle Protraction: forward movement of the shoulder girdle from the spine Retraction: backward movement of the shoulder girdle toward the spine Spine: Lateral flexion (side bending): movement of the head and or trunk laterally away from the midline Reduction: return of the spinal column to the anatomic position from lateral flexion

Types of Joints