1022 (22/09/20)
Movement Terminology
Regional terms – names of specific body areas
Axial region – the main axis of the body (head, neck and trunk)
Appendicular region – the limbs
Superficial anatomy
Anatomical landmarks – references to palpable structures
Anatomical regions – body regions
Anatomical directions – reference terms based on subject
Anatomical position – standardised method of observing or imagining the body that allows precise and
consistent anatomical references
Standing upright Feet flat on the floor
Facing the observer, head level Arms at the sides
Eyes facing forward Palms facing forward
Prone – face down
Supine – face up
Superior (cranial) – toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above e.g. the head is
superior to the abdomen
Inferior (caudal) – away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below e.g.
the navel is inferior to the chin
Anterior (ventral) – toward or at the front of the body; in front of e.g. the breastbone is anterior to the
spine
Posterior (dorsal) – toward or at the back of the body; behind e.g. the heart is posterior to the breastbone
Medial – toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of e.g. the heart is medial to the arm
Lateral – away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of e.g. the arms are lateral to the chest
Intermediate – between a more medial and a more lateral structure e.g. the collarbone is intermediate
between the breastbone and shoulder
Proximal – closer to the origin of the body part of the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk e.g.
the elbow is proximal to the wrist
Distal - further from the origin of the body part of the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk e.g.
the knee is distal to the thigh
Superficial (external) – towards or at the body surface e.g. the skin is superficial to the bones
Deep (internal) – away from the surface of the body; more internal e.g. the muscles are deep to the bones
Anatomical terms of motion
Flexion – a bending movement that decreases the angle between two parts e.g. bending the elbow
Extension – a straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts e.g. when standing up
the knees are extended
Abduction – a motion that pulls a structure or body part away from the midline of the body
Adduction – a motion that pulls a structure or body part towards the midline of the body
Elevation – movement in a superior direction e.g. shrugging is elevation of the scapula
Depression – movement in an inferior direction
Internal rotation – rotation towards the axis of the body
External rotation – rotation away from the centre of the body
Dorsiflexion – the toes are brought closer to the shin
Plantar flexion – decreasing the angle between the sole of the foot and the back of the leg
Pronation – rotational movement at the forearm where the hand and upper arm are turned inwards
Supination – the forearm or palm are rotated outwards
Movement Terminology
Regional terms – names of specific body areas
Axial region – the main axis of the body (head, neck and trunk)
Appendicular region – the limbs
Superficial anatomy
Anatomical landmarks – references to palpable structures
Anatomical regions – body regions
Anatomical directions – reference terms based on subject
Anatomical position – standardised method of observing or imagining the body that allows precise and
consistent anatomical references
Standing upright Feet flat on the floor
Facing the observer, head level Arms at the sides
Eyes facing forward Palms facing forward
Prone – face down
Supine – face up
Superior (cranial) – toward the head end or upper part of a structure or the body; above e.g. the head is
superior to the abdomen
Inferior (caudal) – away from the head end or toward the lower part of a structure or the body; below e.g.
the navel is inferior to the chin
Anterior (ventral) – toward or at the front of the body; in front of e.g. the breastbone is anterior to the
spine
Posterior (dorsal) – toward or at the back of the body; behind e.g. the heart is posterior to the breastbone
Medial – toward or at the midline of the body; on the inner side of e.g. the heart is medial to the arm
Lateral – away from the midline of the body; on the outer side of e.g. the arms are lateral to the chest
Intermediate – between a more medial and a more lateral structure e.g. the collarbone is intermediate
between the breastbone and shoulder
Proximal – closer to the origin of the body part of the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk e.g.
the elbow is proximal to the wrist
Distal - further from the origin of the body part of the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk e.g.
the knee is distal to the thigh
Superficial (external) – towards or at the body surface e.g. the skin is superficial to the bones
Deep (internal) – away from the surface of the body; more internal e.g. the muscles are deep to the bones
Anatomical terms of motion
Flexion – a bending movement that decreases the angle between two parts e.g. bending the elbow
Extension – a straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts e.g. when standing up
the knees are extended
Abduction – a motion that pulls a structure or body part away from the midline of the body
Adduction – a motion that pulls a structure or body part towards the midline of the body
Elevation – movement in a superior direction e.g. shrugging is elevation of the scapula
Depression – movement in an inferior direction
Internal rotation – rotation towards the axis of the body
External rotation – rotation away from the centre of the body
Dorsiflexion – the toes are brought closer to the shin
Plantar flexion – decreasing the angle between the sole of the foot and the back of the leg
Pronation – rotational movement at the forearm where the hand and upper arm are turned inwards
Supination – the forearm or palm are rotated outwards
