Anatomical Terminology

• Coronal/Frontal


  Splits the body into front and back.

  
• Sagittal


  Splits the body into right and left.

  
• Transverse


  Splits body into the top and bottom.

  
• Anterior/Ventral position


  If a structure is closer to the front of the body it is described as anterior or ventral.

  
• Posterior/Dorsal position


  If a structure is closer to the back of the body, it is described as posterior or dorsal.

  
• Superior position


  If a structure is closer to the head it is described as superior.

  
• Inferior position 


  If a structure is closer to the feet, it is described as inferior.

  
• Proximal position 


  This term is used largely in relation to the limbs, and describes a structure which is closer to the trunk.

  
• Distal position 


  This term is used largely in relation to the limbs, and describes a structure which is further from the trunk (fingers).

  
• Medial position 


  If a structure is closer to the midline of the body (such as the nose) it is described as medial.

  
• Lateral position


  If a structure is further from the midline of the body (such as the ears) it is described as lateral.

  
• Superficial position


  Closer to the skin, and the surface.

  
• Deep position


  Further from the skin, deeper inside the body.

  
• Bilateral


  On both sides of the body
• Unilateral


  On one side of the body
• Ipsilateral


  On the same side of the body
• Contralateral


  On the opposite side of the body
• Surfaces of hands and feet


  Hands: Palm = Palmer surface, Opposite side = Dorsum/dorsal surface

  Feet: Sole of the foot = Plantar surface, Opposite side = Dorsum/dorsal surface
• Flexion


  Refers to the movement which decreases the angle between two body parts.
• Extension


  Increasing the angle between two body parts.
• Abduction


  Taking away from the midline.
• Adduction


  bringing towards the midline.
• Internal/medial rotation


  Rotating a joint towards the midline
• External/lateral rotation


  Rotating a joint away from the midline
• Circumduction


  The circular movement of limb such that the distal end of the limb creates an arc.
• Pronation

  Occurs in the forearm only, and it is the twisting of the radius over the ulna.
• Supination


  Occurs in the forearm only and is the realigning of the radius and ulna.
• Inversion


  Occurs at the ankle joint and describes the movement to bring the plantar surface of the foot towards the midline.
• Eversion


  Occurs at the ankle joint and describes the movement to bring the plantar surface of the foot laterally.
• Plantarflexion


  Occurs at the ankle joint, and describes the movement to bring the plantar surface of the foot posteriorly (going on your tiptoes).
• Dorsalflexion


  This occurs at ankle joint and describes the movement to bring the plantar surface of the foot anteriorly and to bring the dorsum of the foot towards the anterior surface of the leg