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.