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