Anatomy terminology

Question 1

The anatomical position

Answer 1

Starting point for orientation: The body standing erect and facing forwards, legs & feet are parallel, feet and toes face forward, arms hang by the side with palms facing forwards and thumbs point laterally

Question 2

Anterior

Answer 2

To the front / in front

Question 3

Posterior

Answer 3

To the rear / behind

Question 4

Superior

Answer 4

Above

Question 5

Inferior

Answer 5

Below

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

Away from the median plane

Question 7

Medial

Answer 7

Towards the median plane

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

Further away from the trunk / root of the limb

Question 9

Proximal

Answer 9

Closer to the trunk / root of the limb

Question 10

Superficial

Answer 10

Closer to the surface of the body / skin

Question 11

Deep

Answer 11

Further away from the body surface / skin

Question 12

Planes

Answer 12

Flat surfaces that have 2 dimensions.
Anatomical movement can occur in these planes.

Question 13

Frontal plane

Answer 13

Passes through the body from the top tot he bottom
At right angles to the sagittal plane
Divides the body into 2 parts - anterior and posterior

Question 14

Horizontal plane

Answer 14

Passes through body at right angles to the sagittal plane
Divides the body into 2 parts - upper and lower

Question 15

Sagittal plane

Answer 15

Passes through the body from front to back
Divides body into 2 parts - left and right

Question 16

Axis

Answer 16

imaginary line around which a body / limb / joint can move
(name correlates to where the “pin” goes not the plane of movement)

Question 17

Types of axis

Answer 17

Sagittal, frontal, vertical & horizontal

Question 18

Knee extension axis & plane

Answer 18

frontal axis with movement on sagittal plane

Question 19

Hip Abduction axis & plane

Answer 19

Sagittal axis with movement on a frontal

Question 20

Flexion

Answer 20

The bending of an adjacent body part in a sagittal plane so that two anterior / posterior surfaces are brought together.

Question 21

Example of Flexion

Answer 21

Moving your arm from a relaxed position (by your side) up so your palm faces your shoulder. This is elbow flexion.

Question 22

Extension

Answer 22

The moving apart of two opposing surfaces in a sagittal plane

Question 23

Extension example

Answer 23

Moving your palm away from your shoulder into a relaxed position (by your side). This is elbow extension.

Question 24

Plantarflexion

Answer 24

Moving the dorsum (top) of the foot away from the anterior surface of the leg
Toes point down

Question 25

Dorsiflexion

Answer 25

Moving the dorsum (top) of the foot towards the anterior surface of the leg Toes point up

Question 26

Abduction

Answer 26

Body segment moves in a frontal plane away from the midline of the body Occurs around a sagittal axis eg. moving arms to T-Pose

Question 27

Adduction

Answer 27

Body segment moves in a frontal plane towards the midline of the body Eg. Moving arms back to sides from a T-Pose position

Question 28

Lateral flexion

Answer 28

Trunk bends to one side (left or right) Eg. left ear to left shoulder

Question 29

Medial rotation

Answer 29

Limb segment rotates about its longitudinal axis so the anterior surface faces the midline of the body Eg. whole right leg turns to the left to face the midline

Question 30

Lateral rotation

Answer 30

Limb segment rotates about its longitudinal axis so the anterior surface faces away from the midline body Eg. whole right leg turns to the right to face away from the midline

Question 31

Supination

Answer 31

Forearm moves so that the palm of the hands faces forward - palms on knees to facing upwards Sole of the forefoot faces medially - as if to "high foot" yourself

Question 32

Pronation

Answer 32

Forearm moves so palms face downwards - palms face upwards to on knees Sole of forefoot faces laterally -

Question 33

Inversion

Answer 33

Movement of whole foot so sole faces medially (supination & adduction of forefoot)

Question 34

Eversion

Answer 34

Movement of whole foot so sole faces laterally (pronation & abduction of forefoot)

Question 35

Facet

Answer 35

small flat articulating surface

Question 36

Notch

Answer 36

Indentation

Question 37

Fossa

Answer 37

Shallow depression

Question 38

Tuberosity

Answer 38

Small rounded prominence Tendon & ligament attachment site

Question 39

Eminence

Answer 39

projection

Question 40

Ramus

Answer 40

branch of bone

Question 41

Condyle

Answer 41

Rounded projection that articulates with another bone

Question 42

Epicondyle

Answer 42

Rounded eminence on a condyle A place of attachment