1. Anatomical Directional Terminology
Kinesiology 100

2. Anatomical directions

3. 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

4. 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

5. Planes of Motion

6. 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

7. Movement in Joints

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Types of Joints