Term | Definition |
Superior | refers to structure being closer to the head or higher than another structure in the body |
Inferior | Refers to a structure being closer to the feet or lower than another structure in the body |
Anterior | Refers to structure being more in front than another structure of body |
Posterior | Refers to structure being more in back than another structure in the body |
Medial | Refers to structure being closer to midline or median plane of the body than any other structure of the body |
Lateral | Refers to structure being farther away from the midline than another structure of the body |
Distal | With reference to the extremities only, refers to structure being further away from the root of the limb than another structure in that limb |
Proximal | With reference to extremities only, refers to structure being closer to the root of the limb than another structure in that limb |
Superficial | Refers to a structure being closer to the surface of the body than any other structure |
Deep | Refers to a structure being closer to the core of the body than any other structure |
Ventral | Toward the front/belly |
Dorsal | Toward the back |
Prone | Laying face down |
Supine | Laying face up |
Unilateral | Pertaining to one side of the body |
Bilateral | Pertaining to both sides of the body |
Flexion | Bending at a joint or decreasing the angle between two bones |
Extension | Straightening a joint or increasing the angle between two bones |
Hyperextension | Extending a joint beyond its normal range of motion |
Adduction | Moving a body part toward the midline of the body |
Abduction | Moving a body part away from the midline of the body |
Pronation | Turning the arm or foot downward (palm or sole of the foot - down) |
Supination | Turning the arm of foot upward (palm or sole of the foot - up) |
Retraction | Moving a part backward |
Protraction | Moving a part forward |
Elevation | Raising a part |
Depression | Lowering a part |
Rotation | Turning on a single axis |
Circumduction | Tri-planar, circular motion at the hip or shoulder |
External Rotation | Rotation of the hip pr shoulder away from the midline |
Internal Rotation | Rotation of the hip or shoulder toward the midline |
Lateral Flexion | Side-bending left or right |
Inversion | Turning the sole of the foot inward |
Eversion | Turning the sole of the foot outward |
Dorsiflexion | Ankle movement bringing the foot toward the shin |
Plantarflexion | Ankle movement pointing the foot downward |
Radial Deviation | Movement of the wrist towards the radius or lateral side |
Ulnar Deviation | Movement of the wrist towards the ulna or medial side |
Opposition | Movement of the Thumb across the palm of the hand |
Sagittal/Midsagittal Plane (Mid = Equal) | The plane dividing the body into right and left portions |
Frontal/Coronal Plane | The plane dividing the body into front and back portions |
Transverse/Horizontal Plane | The plane dividing the body into upper and lower regions |