General Survey Body Structure Terms

Symmetry

Normal "Body parts look equal bilaterally and are proportionate to each other" Abnormal "asymmetric location of a body part" "unilateral hypertrophy or atrophy"

Position

Normal "Person sits comfortably in chair" Abnormal "leans/ing forward, arms bracing on chair arms" "sits/ing straight up resists/ing to lie down" "curled up in fetal position"

Posture

Normal "Person stands/sits comfortably erect as appropriate for age. Plumb line is normal through anterior ear, shoulder, hip, patella, ankle" Abnormal "Rigid spine and neck: moves as one unit" "stiff and tense" 'fidgety movements" "shoulders slumped, looks deflated"

Stature

Normal "the height appears within normal range for age, genetic heritage Abnormal "excessively short or tall"

Weight

Normal "weight appears within normal range for height and body build, fat is evenly distributed" Abnormal "cachectic/emaciated" (abnormally thin or weak) "Centripetal obesity" fat is in the face, neck, and trunk with thin extremities" i.e. cushing syndrome "Simple obesity" even distribution of fat

Body Build/Contour

Normal proportions Arm span equals height body length from crown to pelvis is equal to length from pelvis to sole Abnormal "elongated arm span" "missing digits and/or extremities" "shorten limb"