ANATOMICAL PLANES & TERMINOLOGY Terms of direction & position

The Anatomical Position Arms down by side Palms up Head and eyes forward Legs parallel Feet together

Movement Rules of the Body A body movement can be described in terms of the anatomical plane through which it occurs and the anatomical axis through which it rotates. The General Rule: The axis of rotation is perpendicular to the plane of movement. Anatomical Planes: relates the positions in the space and are at right angles of each other

The Three Anatomical Planes Transverse (Horizontal) Plane: divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) segments Sagital (Medial) Plane: divides the body into left and right parts, medial (close to the midline) and lateral (further away from the midline) Coronal (Frontal) Plane: divides the body into anterior (frontal) and posterior (rear) segments

Axes of Movements: The axis of rotation is always perpendicular to the plane of movement!! Anatomical Axis: are used to describe the rotation of the muscles and bones which takes place. Longitudinal (Polar) Axis: is in a “North - South” relationship to the anatomical position Horizontal (Bilateral) Axis is in a “East - West” relationship to the anatomical position  Antero-posterior axis: is in a “front to back” relationship to the anatomical position

Therefore: Flexion & Extension – always occur through medial plane & rotate around the horizontal axis   Adduction & Adduction – always occur through frontal plane & rotate around the anterior-posterior axis Medial & Lateral Rotation – always occur through horizontal plane & rotate around the polar axis

Anterior—to be situated near or toward the front of the body Anterior/Posterior Anterior—to be situated near or toward the front of the body Posterior--to be situated toward the back of the body

Superior/Inferior Superior—means to be situated toward the upper part or head of the body, positioned above another organ or structure Inferior—to be situated toward the lower part of the body or positioned below another organ or structure

Unilateral/Bilateral Medial/Lateral Unilateral—on one side Bilateral—on both sides Medial—to be closer to the midline of the body or a structure, being internal as opposed to external Lateral—to be farther away, in the direction of either side, from the midline of the body or a structure

Proximal/Distal Proximal: Toward or nearest the trunk or the point of origin of a part Distal: Away from or farthest from the trunk or the point of origin of a part

How it Looks

Examples Movement Axis of Rotation Plane of Motion Stride Jump Anterior-posterior Frontal Cart Wheel Elbow Extension Horizontal Medial Nodding Yes Tuck Somersault Twirling Polar Shaking Head No