Terms associated with movement

dorsiflexion

ankle movement bringing the foot toward the shin

plantar flexion

ankle movement pointing the foot downward

flexion

bending of a joint decreasing the angle between two bones

hyperextension

excessive extension of the parts of a joint beyond anatomical position

distal

farther from the point where a limb attaches to the body

depression

lowering a part

prone

lying face down

supine

lying face up

Abduction

moving a body part away from the midline of the body

adduction

moving a body part toward the midline

retraction

moving a part backward

protraction

moving a part forward

superficial

near the surface

proximal

near to the point where a limb attaches to the body

lateral

on or closer to the side

bilateral

pertaining to both sides of the body or structure

unilateral

pertaining to only one side of the body or structure

elevation

raising a part

visceral

refers to the internal organs

external rotation

rotation of the hip or shoulder away from the midline

internal rotation

rotation of the hip or shoulder toward the midline

extension

straightening of a joint or increasing the angle between two bones

parietal

the wall of a cavity

dorsal

toward the back

posterior

toward the back

inferior

toward the feet or lower portion of the body

anterior

toward the front of the body

ventral

toward the front/belly

superior

toward the head or upper portion of the body

deep

toward the interior

medial

toward the middle or center of the body or body part

circumduction

tri-plantar circular motion at the hip or shoulder

rotation

turning on a single axis

pronation

turning the arm downward (palm down)

supination

turning the arm upward (palm up)

inversion

turning the sole of the foot inward

eversion

turning the sole of the foot outward