Human Physiology and Anatomy

Superior

Above; at a higher level (in the human body, toward the head).

Plantar flexion

Ankle extension (toe pointing); sole of the foot moves away from anterior surface of leg (shin).

Hyperextension

Extension past the anatomical position.

Deep

Farther from the body surface.

Transverse plane

Horizontal plane that divides the body into superior and inferior.

Anatomical Position

Initial reference point when describing body parts and position; all joints considered to be at 0 degrees or at a neutral position; standing erect with feet slightly apart and palms facing forward.

External Rotation

Movement around a longitudinal axis of a bone away from the midline.

Internal Rotation

Movement around a longitudinal axis of a bone toward the midline.

Lateral

Movement away from the body's longitudinal axis; movement away from the midsagittal plane.

Abduction

Movement away from the longitudinal axis of the body in the frontal plane.

Extension

Movement in the anterior-posterior plane that increases the angle between articulating elements.

Flexion

Movement in the anterior-posterior plane that reduces the angle between articulating elements.

Circumduction

Movement of the limb in a manner that describes a cone.

Ulnar Flexion

Movement of the wrist on pinky side of hand toward the lateral border of the ulna.

Radial Flexion

Movement of the wrist on the thumb side of the hand toward the lateral border of the radius.

Horizontal Abduction

Movement of upper limb through the transverse plane at shoulder level (or lower limb at hip level) away from the midline of the body.

Elevation

Occurs when structure moves in a superior direction.

Depression

Occurs when structure moves in an inferior direction.

Lateral Flexion

Occurs when your vertebral column bends to the side.

Supination

Outward rotation of forearm; rotation of the forearm that makes the palm face anteriorly; anatomical position.

Lateral Pelvic Rotation

Raising the right or left iliac crest around the anterioposterior axis.

Contralateral

Refers to the opposite side of the body.

Ipsilateral

Refers to the same side of the body.

Transverse Pelvic Rotation

Rotating the right or left iliac crest forward while the other goes back.

Posterior Pelvic Rotation

Rotation of both crests simultaneously backward.

Anterior Pelvic Rotation

Rotation of both iliac crests simultaneously forward.

Upward rotation of girdle (outward)

Rotation of the scapula in frontal plane with the inferior angle of the scapula moving laterally.

Downward rotation of girdle (inward)

Rotation of the scapula in the frontal plane with the inferior angle of the scapula moving medially.

Abduction (shoulder girdle)

Sliding movement of the scapula away from the midline.

Depression (shoulder girdle)

Sliding movement of the scapula downward.

Adduction (shoulder girdle)

Sliding movement of the scapula toward the midline.

Elevation (shoulder girdle)

Sliding movement of the scapula upward.

Determines the type and amount of movements that may occur.

The anatomical structure of a joint.

Posterior (dorsal)

The back surface.

Ventral

The belly side (equivalent to anterior when referring to the human body).

Anterior

The front surface.

Cranial (cephalic)

The head.

Plantar

The inferior surface of the foot.

Defines the shoulder girdle movements.

The movement of the inferior angle of the scapula.

What each joint reflects a compromise between.

The need for strength and the need for mobility.

Caudal

The tail (coccyx in humans).

Proximal

Toward an attached base.

Medial

Toward the body's longitudinal axis; toward the midsagittal plane.

Inversion

Twisting of the foot that turns the sole inward, elevating the medial edge of the sole.

Eversion

Twisting of the foot that turns the sole outward, elevating the lateral edge of the sole.

Inverted

Upside down, handstand position.

Dorsiflexion

Upward movement of the foot through flexion at the ankle; superior surface of foot moves upward toward anterior surface of the leg (shin).

Frontal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into anterior and posterior.

Fundamental Position

"Normal" standing position; makes it difficult to define movements of the hand/upper extremity.

Palmar

Anterior surface of hand.

Sagittal (anteroposterior) axis

Any axis perpendicular to frontal plane.

Transverse (frontal) axis

Any axis perpendicular to the sagittal plane.

Superficial

At, near, or relatively close to the body surface.

Distal

Away from an attached base.

Vertical axis

Axis perpendicular to transverse plane.

Inferior

Below; at a lower level.

Pronation

Inward rotation of forearm; rotation of the forearm that makes the palm face posteriorly.

Where movement in the human body can only occur at.

Joints.

Supine

Lying flat on dorsal surface; lying face up with palms facing anteriorly.

Prone

Lying flat on the ventral surface; lying face down with palms facing the floor.

Horizontal Adduction

Movement of upper limb through the transverse plane at shoulder level (or lower limb at hip level) toward the midline of the body.

Adduction

Movement toward the longitudinal axis of the body in the frontal plane.

Defines the movements of the pelvic girdle.

The movement of the iliac crest (top of the pelvis).

Sagittal plane

Vertical plane that divides the body into right and left.