1. ANATOMICAL PLANES & TERMINOLOGY
Terms of direction & position

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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. How it Looks

12. 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