ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY
→ a set of unique terms used to describe positioning and movement of parts of the body in relation
to one another
MOVEMENT IS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF:
Axes and planes
Range
Major muscle groups and joints performing the action
Anatomical position → a position used as reference when describing parts of body in relation to one
another
It is important as it allows for a standard way of documenting relationship between body
parts, regardless of body positioning
Standing erect
Head, eyes & toes pointing forwards
Feet together & arms by the side
Palms of the hands pointing forward
Thumb outside
TERMINOLOGY
Hyperextension → past the normal
Flexion → decrease angle of joint
Extension → increase angle of joint
Proximal → closer to midline or point of reference (closer to the head)
Distal → away from midline or further from point of reference
Hand is distal to the elbow
Used mainly when discussing limbs
Superior → above/ higher than
Inferior → below / lower than
Stomach is superior to urinary bladder
Used mainly with spin and internal organs
, Anterior(ventral) → front aspect , towards the front
Posterior (dorsal) → back aspect
Medial (inner) → toward midline
Lateral (outer) → further away from midline
Ribs are lateral to sternum
Palmar(volar) → surface of the palm
Plantar → sole of foot
Dorsal → opposite to palmar or plantar surface (top part)
Caudal → toward the feet
Cephalad → toward head
TERMS OF COMPARISON
Ipsilateral → on same side as another structure
e.g. left arm to left leg
Contralateral → opposite side of another structure
e.g. left and right arm
Superficial → near outer surface
Deep → further away from the surface
Intermediate → between two other structures
Visceral → organs within the body cavities
SHOULDER GIRDLE
Refers to scapula
Elevation → shoulders move up(superior direction)
Depression → shoulders move downwards (inferior direction)
Protraction → shoulders move towards each other
Anterior movement of arms at scapulo-thoracic joint
Retraction → shoulders move backwards or away from each other
Posterior movement of arms at scapulo-thoracic joint
GLENOHUMERAL (SHOULDER) JOINT
Refers to actual ball-and-socket joint
Flexion → arm moves forwards / upwards
Extension → arm moves backwards
Abduction → arms move outwards(away from body)
Adduction → arms move towards body
Rotation → medial/internal - rotation of limb inwards
→ lateral/external - towards outside
Circumduction → combination movement (arms move in a circle) or
Circular movement of body part, e.g. ball-and-socket joint
Horizontal flexion(adduction) → 'adducting' shoulder horizontally across body
→ a set of unique terms used to describe positioning and movement of parts of the body in relation
to one another
MOVEMENT IS DESCRIBED IN TERMS OF:
Axes and planes
Range
Major muscle groups and joints performing the action
Anatomical position → a position used as reference when describing parts of body in relation to one
another
It is important as it allows for a standard way of documenting relationship between body
parts, regardless of body positioning
Standing erect
Head, eyes & toes pointing forwards
Feet together & arms by the side
Palms of the hands pointing forward
Thumb outside
TERMINOLOGY
Hyperextension → past the normal
Flexion → decrease angle of joint
Extension → increase angle of joint
Proximal → closer to midline or point of reference (closer to the head)
Distal → away from midline or further from point of reference
Hand is distal to the elbow
Used mainly when discussing limbs
Superior → above/ higher than
Inferior → below / lower than
Stomach is superior to urinary bladder
Used mainly with spin and internal organs
, Anterior(ventral) → front aspect , towards the front
Posterior (dorsal) → back aspect
Medial (inner) → toward midline
Lateral (outer) → further away from midline
Ribs are lateral to sternum
Palmar(volar) → surface of the palm
Plantar → sole of foot
Dorsal → opposite to palmar or plantar surface (top part)
Caudal → toward the feet
Cephalad → toward head
TERMS OF COMPARISON
Ipsilateral → on same side as another structure
e.g. left arm to left leg
Contralateral → opposite side of another structure
e.g. left and right arm
Superficial → near outer surface
Deep → further away from the surface
Intermediate → between two other structures
Visceral → organs within the body cavities
SHOULDER GIRDLE
Refers to scapula
Elevation → shoulders move up(superior direction)
Depression → shoulders move downwards (inferior direction)
Protraction → shoulders move towards each other
Anterior movement of arms at scapulo-thoracic joint
Retraction → shoulders move backwards or away from each other
Posterior movement of arms at scapulo-thoracic joint
GLENOHUMERAL (SHOULDER) JOINT
Refers to actual ball-and-socket joint
Flexion → arm moves forwards / upwards
Extension → arm moves backwards
Abduction → arms move outwards(away from body)
Adduction → arms move towards body
Rotation → medial/internal - rotation of limb inwards
→ lateral/external - towards outside
Circumduction → combination movement (arms move in a circle) or
Circular movement of body part, e.g. ball-and-socket joint
Horizontal flexion(adduction) → 'adducting' shoulder horizontally across body
