Terminology
Abduction vs. Adduction
AB-duction: Drawing a part away from the median plane AD-duction: drawing part toward saggital plane
Anterior/Ventral vs. Posterior/Dorsal
Anterior/Ventral: front of body; belly side Posterior/Dorsal: back of body; back side
Elevation vs. Depression
Elevation: movement in superior direction Depression: movement in inferior direction
External vs. Internal
External: on outside; farther from center Internal: away from surface; within
Flexion vs. Extension
Flexion: bending; decrease angle between two parts Extension: straightening/extending joined parts further from one another
Inversion vs. Eversion
Inversion: turning inward, inside out, or other reversal of normal relation of the part Eversion: turning outward
Medial vs. Lateral Rotation
Medial: rotation towards center of body Lateral: rotation away from center of body
Medial vs. Lateral
Medial: towards the midline of the body Lateral: towards the extremities of the body
Midsternal, Midclavicular, Midaxillary Lines
Midsternal: vertical line down center of thorax (sternum) Midclavicular: extends vertically from midpoint of clavicle; left midclavicular line is important as marker for cardiac phenomena Midaxillary: vertical line running length of body midway between ventral/dorsal surfaces; runs under axilla (armpit)
Opposition vs. Reposition
Opposition: moving thumb to finger across hand Reposition: moving thumb from opposed position
Plantarflexion vs. Dorsiflexion
Plantarflexion: movement decreasing angle between sole of foot and back of leg (pointing foot) Dorsiflexion: movement bringing toes closer to shin (flexing foot)
Pronation vs. Supination (Palm)
Pronation: rotational movement of arm causing palm to face posterior side Supination: rotational movement of arm causing palm to face anterior side
Pronation vs. Supination (Foot)
Pronation: rotational movement of foot causing palm to face lateral side Supination: rotational movement of foot causing palm to face medial side
Protraction vs. Retraction
Protraction: moving a part anteriorly (forward) Retraction: moving a part posteriorly (back)
Proximal vs. Distal
Proximal: near the point of origin/attachment Distal: farther from point of attachment
Volar
Referring to the vola; denoting either the palm of the hand or sole of the foot.
Rostral vs. Caudal
Rostral: near the rostrum (oral/nasal region) Caudal: near the tail or posterior end
Somatic vs. Visceral
Somatic: voluntary Visceral: involuntary
Superficial vs. Deep
Superficial: near the surface (get a band-aid) Deep: farther from the surface (go to the ER)
Superior/Cranial vs. Inferior/Caudal
Superior/Cranial: near the head Inferior/Caudal: near the feet
Bilateral
affecting both sides of body
Unilateral
affecting one side of body
Axial, Transverse, Horizontal
any plane perpendicular to spine; divides body into inferior and superior
Circumduction
circular movement of a body part, ex. windmilling arms
Hyperextension
extending limb/part beyond normal limit
Lateral Flexion
lateral movement away from midline
Coronal, frontal
longitudinal plane perpendicular to sagittal; divides body into anterior and posterior sections
Sagittal
longitudinally divides the body into left and right sections; midsagittal is median plane
Ipsilateral
situated on or affecting the same side
Contralateral
situated on the opposite side
Palmar
the palm side of the hand
Plantar
the sole side of the foot