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