anatomical position
refers to the body position as if the person were standing upright with:-the head, gaze(eyes), and toes directed anteriorly-arms adjacent to the sides with the palms facing anteriorly-lower limbs close together with the feet parallel
superior
a structure that is nearer the vertex, which is the topmost point of the cranium
cranial
forward the head or cranium
inferior
a structure that is situated nearer the sole of the foot
caudal
toward the feet or tail region
posterior
the back surface of the body or nearer to the back
anterior
the front surface of the body
Rostral
nearer the anterior part of the head; often used instead of anterior when describing parts of the brain
medial
a structure nearer to the median plane of the body
lateral
a structure is farther away from the median plane
dorsum
the superior aspect of any part that protrudes anteriorly from the body, such as the tongue or penis
inferomedial
nearer the feet and median plane
superolateral
nearer the head and farther from the median plane
superficial, intermediate, deep
describe the position of structures relative to the surface of the body or the relationship of one structure to another underlying or overlying structure
external
outside of or father from the center of an organ and cavity
internal
inside or closer to the center; independent of direction
proximal
Closer to the point of attachment
distal
farther from the origin of a body part or the point of attachment of a limb to the body trunk
bilateral
having two sides (ex. kidneys)
unilateral
occurring on one side (ex. spleen)
ipsilateral
on the same side of the body as another structure (ex. your thumb and big toe)
contralateral
on the opposite side of the body from another structure (ex. right hand and left hand)
flexion
Bending or decreasing the angle between the bones or parts of the body, usually in anterior direction
extension
straightening or increasing the angle between the bones or parts of the body, usually in the posterior direction
abduction
movement away from the midline
adduction
Movement toward the midline of the body
Circumduction
circular movement of a limb at the far end; involves sequential flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction
rotation
involves turning or revolving part of the body and its longitudinal axis
medial rotation
brings the anterior surface of a limb closer to the midline
lateral rotation
brings the anterior surface or a limb farther from the midline
pronation
rotates the radius medially so the palm faces posteriorly and its dorsum faces anteriorly
supination
returns the pronated radius back to the anatomical position
eversion
moves the sole of the foot away from the midline
inversions
moves the sole of the foot toward the midline
opposition
movement where the pad of the 1st digit is brought to another digit pad
reposition
movement of the 1st digit back from the position of opposition to the anatomical position
protrusion
movement anteriorly (forward)
retrusion
movement posteriorly (backward)
elevation
raises or moves parts superiorly
depressions
lowers or moves parts inferiorly