Functional Anatomy Key Terms

Question 1

Anatomical Position

Answer 1

starting position for body segment movements

• upright standing, facing forward
• legs together, feet flat on floor and parallel so that the toes face forwards
• hands at the side, palms facing forwards

Question 2

Anterior

Answer 2

To the front or in front

Question 3

Posterior

Answer 3

To the rear or behind

Question 4

Superior

Answer 4

Above

Question 5

Inferior

Answer 5

Below

Question 6

Lateral

Answer 6

(Further) away from the midline

Question 7

Medial

Answer 7

Towards/closer to the midline

Question 8

Distal

Answer 8

Further away from the trunk or root of the limb

Question 9

Proximal

Answer 9

Closer to the trunk or root of the limb

Question 10

Anatomical Reference/Cardinal Plane

Answer 10

imaginary slices through the body that are mutually perpendicular to each other and meet in the middle

Question 11

Sagittal (Median) Plane

Answer 11

Right side vs left side (through the middle)

Question 12

Frontal (Coronal) Plane

Answer 12

Front to back (sliced from the side)

Question 13

Transverse (Horizontal) Plane

Answer 13

Top to bottom (through the middle)

Question 14

In the anatomical position, the cardinal planes intersect at what point?

Answer 14

The body centre of mass

Question 15

Axes

Answer 15

infinite imaginary lines that pass through joints, about which movement takes places

Question 16

What happens when a joint of the human body moves?

Answer 16

It rotates about an imaginary axis, within a plane (perpendicular to)

Question 17

Mediolateral axis

Answer 17

Within the Sagittal plane

Question 18

Anteroposterior axis

Answer 18

Within the Frontal plane

Question 19

Longitudinal axis

Answer 19

Within the Transverse plane

Question 20

Uniplanar

Answer 20

One plane of motion- think cyclist in one direction

Question 21

Multiplanar

Answer 21

In a combination of planes- think gymnast on the horse

Question 22

Movement about the mediolateral axis, within the sagittal plane is referred to as…

Answer 22

Flexion and extension

Question 23

Movement about the anteroposterior axis, within the frontal plane is referred to as…

Answer 23

Abduction and adduction

Question 24

Movement about the longitudinal axis, within the transverse plane is referred to as…

Answer 24

Medial and lateral rotation

Question 25

Flexion

Answer 25

The angle at the joint diminishes (bringing together) | Mediolateral axis, sagittal plane

Question 26

Extension

Answer 26

The angle at the joint increases (moving apart) | Mediolateral axis, sagittal plane

Question 27

Dorsiflexion

Answer 27

Refers to flexion of the foot at the ankle joint | Mediolateral axis, sagittal plane

Question 28

Plantarflexion

Answer 28

Refers to extension of the foot at the ankle joint, think plantar=point Mediolateral axis, sagittal plane

Question 29

Abduction

Answer 29

Moving away from the midline of the body | Anteroposterior axis, frontal plane

Question 30

Adduction

Answer 30

Moving towards the midline of the body | Anteroposterior axis, frontal plane

Question 31

Inversion

Answer 31

Movement of the whole foot to make the sole face medially, inwards Anteroposterior axis, frontal plane

Question 32

Eversion

Answer 32

Movement of the whole foot to make the sole face laterally, outwards Anteroposterior axis, frontal plane

Question 33

Lateral Flexion

Answer 33

Bending of the trunk | Anteroposterior axis, frontal plane

Question 34

What is movement of the Scapular (shoulder blade) referred to as?

Answer 34

Elevation and depression | Anteroposterior axis, frontal plane

Question 35

What is movement of the hand referred to as?

Answer 35

Ulnar and radial deviation | Anteroposterior axis, frontal plane

Question 36

Medial/internal rotation

Answer 36

Rotation of a limb segment about its longitudinal axis such that the anterior surface comes to face towards the midline of the body Longitudinal axis, transverse plane

Question 37

Lateral/external rotation

Answer 37

Rotation of a limb segment about its longitudinal axis so that its anterior surface faces away from the midline of the body Longitudinal axis, transverse plane

Question 38

Pronation

Answer 38

Movement of the forearm that makes the palm of the hand face downwards Longitudinal axis, transverse plane

Question 39

Supination

Answer 39

Movement of the forearm that makes the palm of the hand faces upwards Longitudinal axis, transverse plane