4.3 Anatomical Terms

4.3.1 Directional Terms Applied to the Human Body

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Paired directional terms are shown as applied to the human body.

(slide credit: @OpenStaxAnatomy2020)

4.3.2 Planes of the Body

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The three planes most commonly used in anatomical and medical imaging are the sagittal, frontal (or coronal), and transverse plane.

(slide credit: @OpenStaxAnatomy2020)

4.3.3 Relative reference terms

  • Proximal/Distal aspect
    • Nearer to/Further from the origin or attachment point
  • Inferior/Superior
    • Beneath/Above: Often used in the axial skeleton
  • Cranial/Caudal
    • Towards/Away from the head
  • Lateral/Medial
    • Closest to the outside/inside relative to the mid-line in the coronal plane
  • Anterior/Posterior
    • In front/back (relative position)
  • Dorsal/Ventral
    • On the back/front

4.3.4 Terms of action

  • Flexion/Extension
    • The anterior angle between two bones is decreased/increased (except for knees/toes, then posterior angle)
  • Abduction/Adduction
    • Movement away from/towards the body mid-line in the frontal plane
  • Lateral flexion
    • Left/right movement of the spine in the frontal plane
  • Supination/Pronation
    • Rotate the forearm palm forward/backward in the anatomical position
  • Dorsiflexion/Plantar flexion
    • Rotation of the ankle toes up/down in the sagittal plane
  • Inversion/Eversion
    • Rotation of the foot up and in/up and out in the frontal plane
  • Hyperextension
    • Movement beyond anatomical norms