Anatomy & Kinesiology Terminology Jan McElroy PT, MS, PCS 2009

Terms Anterior —toward the front of the body (also called Ventral) These terms can refer to a location (i.e. a position on a bone) or a direction (i.e. a direction of movement) Anterior —toward the front of the body (also called Ventral) Posterior —toward the back of the body (also called Dorsal) Medial —toward the midline of the body Lateral —away from the midline of the body

Terms Cephalo —a direction; toward the top of the head (also called Cephalic, Superior, or Cranial) Caudal —a direction: toward the bottom of the body or the feet (also called Inferior )

Terms Proximal – nearest the trunk or midline Distal – farthest from the trunk or midline Proximal humerus Distal humerus Proximal femur Distal Femur

Terms Internal Rotation --in anatomical position when the rotation around an axis is forward and toward the midline of the body External Rotation –in anatomical position when the rotation around an axis is backward and away from the midline of the body

Planes of Movement A: Frontal Plane B: Sagittal Plane C:Transverse Plane

Planes of Movement A: Frontal Plane — divides the body into a front half and a back half

Movements in the Frontal Plane Head & neck: lateral flexion (or lateral bending) Trunk: lateral flexion (or side bending) Hips: abduction (when the limb moves away from the midline of the body) adduction (when the limb moves toward the midline of the body)

Planes of Movement B: Sagittal Plane —divides the body into left and right halves

Movements in the Sagittal Plane Head & neck: flexion & extension Trunk: flexion & extension Hip: flexion & extension Knee: flexion & extension Ankle: dorsiflexion & plantarflexion

Sagittal Plane movements Knee extension Knee flexion Hip extension Hip flexion Ankle dorsiflexion Ankle plantarflexion

Planes of Movement C: Transverse Plane -- rotation around an axis (spine, limb, or limb segment)

Movement in the Transverse Plane Head & neck: rotation Trunk: rotation Hip: internal rotation (also called medial rotation) external rotation (also called lateral rotation) Knee: very minimal internal and external rotation