Summary Anatomical terminology

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