Directional Terms/Anatomical Position/Directional Terms

Directional Term - Superior

(Use for head and torso) Close to the head Ex. Nose is superior to the belly button because it is closer to the head. Ex. The nose is superior to the mouth

Directional Term - Posterior

Closer to the back

Directional Term - Anterior

Closer to the front

Directional Term - Lateral

Lateral means a point that is farther to the midline. Ex. The ear is lateral to your nose because it is farther from the midline. Ex. The little toe side of your foot is the lateral side of the your foot

Planes of Motion - Coronal/Frontal Plane

The Coronal/Frontal Plane divides the body into front and back Ex. Abduction (taking the arm out the side) is a motion that is in the frontal plane.

Planes of Motion - Saggital Plane

The Sagittal plane divides the body into left and right Ex. Exercise moving in or parallel to that plane would be doing a forward lunge. Ex. Flexion of joints is also such a motion.

Planes of Motion - Transverse/Horizontal Plane

The Transverse Plane divides the body into top and bottom Ex. Rotation is a motion that occurs in this plane

Directional Term - Inferior

(Use for head and torso) Farther from the head Ex. The belly button is going to be inferior to the nose because it is farther ahead from the head.

Directional Term - Proximal

(Used for arms and legs) Part that is closest to the attachment. Ex. elbow is proximal to the wrist because it is closer to the attachment. Ex. proximal aspect of the UE is the shoulder Ex. proximal aspect of the LE is the hip.

Directional Term - Distal

(Used for arms and legs) Part that is farthest from the attachment. Ex. wrist is distal to the elbow because it is farther from the attachment. Ex. the toes are the most distal aspect of the lower extremity (leg) fingers are the most distal aspect of upper extremity (arm).

Directional Term - Medial

Medial means a point that is closer to the midline of the body. Ex. The inside of the thigh is the medial aspect of the thigh. Ex. The big toe side is the medial aspect. Ex. Nose is medial to ear because the nose is closer to the midline.

Anatomical Position

They are standing, with knees straight forward and with elbows straight and palms facing forward