Anatomical Concepts Flashcards by Sienna Gauci

Describe anatomical position and what it is used for

Standard reference position that directional terms are based on
Standing upright, feet shoulder width apart, palms facing forward, arms by side

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Towards the front of the body

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Posterior

Towards the back of the body

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Lateral

Away from the midline of the body

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Medial

Towards the midline of the body

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Distal

Further from the origin of a limb or other structure

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Proximal

Closer to the origin of a limb or other structure

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Superficial

Closer to the surface of the skin

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Deep

Further from the surface of the skin

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Superior

Above

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Inferior

Below

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Cranial

Towards the cranium (skull)

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Caudal

Towards the ‘tail’ (lower back area)

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Rostral

Closer to the ‘front beak’ (nose)

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Occipital

Closer to the back of the head

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Plantar

Pertaining to the plantar surface (underside) of the foot

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Palmar

Pertaining to the palm of the hand

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Internal

Inside

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External

Outside

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Dorsal

Closer to the back of the body

Ventral

Closer to the belly

Bilateral

Affecting a paired structure on both sides of the body

Unilateral

Affecting a paired structure on just one side of the body

Ipsilateral

Affecting a structure on the same side of the body

Contralateral

Affecting a structure on the opposite side of the body

Prone

Lying face down

Supine

Lying face up

Frontal (coronal) plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) portions

Sagittal (lateral) plane

A vertical plane that divides the body into right and left portions

Transverse (axial) plane

A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior (upper) and inferior (lower) portions, creating a cross section

Flexion

Bending of a limb or joint, reducing the joint angle

Extension

Straightening of a limb or joint, increasing the joint angle

Abduction

Moving a body part away from the midline of the body

Adduction

Moving a body part towards the midline of the body

Circumduction

Movement of a body part around a joint in a circular motion

Rotation

When a bone or limb pivots around a joint

Inversion

Rotation of the sole of the foot inwards

Eversion

Rotating the sole of the foot outward

Protraction

Movement of a body part in an anterior direction, only occurring at the scapula (shoulder blade) and mandible (lower jaw)

Retraction

Movement of a body part in a posterior direction, only occurring at the scapula (shoulder blade) and mandible (lower jaw)

Dorsiflexion

Pointing the toes upwards, towards the dorsum of the foot

Plantar flexion

Pointing the toes downwards, towards the plantar surface (underside) of the foot

Elevation

Movement in a superior direction

Depression

Movement in an inferior direction

Pronation

- Rotation of the forearm or foot so that the palmar or plantar surface points downwards or backwards - Mostly occurs at the forearm

Supination

- Rotation of the forearm or foot so that the palmar or plantar surface points upwards or forwards - Mostly occurs at the forearm

Later/o Caud/o

Side Tail, towards the lower part of the body

Dors/i,o Poster/o

Back (of the body)

Sinister/o Dextr/o

Left Right