Basic Human Anatomy: Position and Directional Terms

• Medial means closer to the midline of the body.
• body is in a standard position called the anatomical position
• directional terms are used by the medical personnel and anatomists which allow them to explain exactly where one body structure is in relation to another.
• plane is a flat, two-dimensional surface
• . A sagittal section is a cut made along the lengthwise, or longitudinal, plane of the body, dividing the body into the right and left parts
• frontal section is a cut made along a lengthwise plane that divides the body (or an organ) into anterior and posterior parts
• It is also called a coronal section
• , a transverse section is a cut made along a horizontal plane dividing the body or organ into superior and inferior parts. It may also be called a cross section
• • Flexion – is the act of bringing two bones closer together which decrease the angle between two bones
• • Extension – is the act of increasing the angle between two bones that results in straightening motion
• • Abduction – is the movement of an extremity away from the midline (an imaginary line that divides the body from head to toe
• • Adduction – is movement towards the midline
• • Circumduction – a continuous motion from flexion, extension, abduction,  adduction and hyperextension
• • Rotation – allows a bone to move around one central axis. A pivot motion when you turn the head from side to side.
• • Pronation – the forearm turns the hand so the palm is facing downward
• • Supination – turns the hand to face upward.