Anatomical terms

Last updated: October 1, 2024

Summary

Anatomical terms provide a precise and standardized language for describing body regions, movements, and the relationships between different structures. Mastery of this terminology is essential for healthcare professionals to ensure clear, accurate communication with colleagues in both clinical and scientific settings.

Standard anatomical position

A standard anatomical position describes the relation of body parts to one another as a person is standing with the body erect, the arms at the side, and the face and palms directed forward.

Standard position terms
Right/left	Refer to the right and left of the patient. Sometimes dexter and sinister are used instead of right and left, respectively (e.g., oculus dexter, oculus sinister).
Anterior	Front of the body
Posterior	Back of the body
Ventral	Front of the embryo before limb rotation In humans, corresponds to anterior
Dorsal	Back of the embryo before limb rotation In humans, corresponds to posterior
Superior (position)	Above the reference point
Inferior (position)	Below the reference point.
Cranial	Towards the skull
Caudal	Towards the coccyx
Proximal	Towards the reference point or body trunk
Distal	Away from the reference point or body trunk
Superficial	Towards the surface of the body
Deep	Away from the surface of the body
Medial	Towards the midline
Lateral	Away from the midline
Prone	Horizontal positioning in which the anterior surface faces downwards
Supine	Horizontal positioning in which the anterior surface faces upwards

Cranial anatomical terms

Cranial anatomical terms
Rostral (oral)	Towards the tip of the nose/mouth from a more posterior point
Occipital (aboral)	Toward the occipital bone (posterior) from a more anterior point
Nasal	Towards the skull midline
Temporal	Towards the temporal bone (lateral) from a more medial point

Cranial anatomical terms of location and direction

Axes and planes

Anatomical planes and axes

Anatomical axes

Main axes		Definition
Longitudinal axis		Runs vertically from cranial to caudal
Sagittal axis		Runs horizontally from ventral to dorsal
Frontal axis		Runs horizontally from left to right

Anatomical planes

Main planes	Description
Transverse plane (axial, horizontal)	Cross-section that divides the body/structure horizontally into cranial and caudal sections
Frontal plane (coronal)	Runs parallel to the forehead Divides the body/structure vertically into anterior and posterior parts
Sagittal plane (median, longitudinal, anteroposterior)	Runs parallel to the sagittal suture Divides the body/structure vertically into right and left parts Midsagittal plane (median plane): when the sagittal plane runs through the midline of the body axis

Anatomical terms of motion

General terms
Extension (motion)	Movement increasing the angle between two body parts
Flexion	Movement decreasing the angle between two body parts
Abduction	Movement away from the midline
Adduction	Movement towards the midline
External rotation	Rotation away from the midline
Internal rotation	Rotation towards the midline
Elevation (motion)	Movement in a superior direction
Depression (motion)	Movement in an inferior direction
Anteversion	Forward inclination of an entire organ
Retroversion	Backward inclination of an entire organ
Circumduction	Circular motion of a limb
Extremity-specific
Dorsiflexion	Hand: movement of the hand/fingers toward the dorsal side. Foot: movement of the toes/foot towards the shin
Palmar flexion (volar flexion)	Movement of the hand/fingers toward the front of the forearm/hand (palm)
Pronation	Hand/forearm: with the arms extended at the sides, rotation so that the palms are facing posteriorly Foot: eversion + dorsiflexion
Supination	Hand/forearm: with the arms extended at the sides, rotation so that the palms are facing anteriorly Foot: inversion + plantar flexion
Opposition (motion)	Movement and rotation of the thumb's tip towards that of any other finger
Reposition	Movement and rotation of the thumb's tip away from that of any other finger
Superior rotation	Rotation of the scapula during abduction: the glenoid cavity moves upward as the medial end of the scapular spine moves downward
Inferior rotation	Rotation of the scapula during adduction: the glenoid cavity moves downward as the medial end of the scapular spine moves upward
Protraction	Forward movement of a part of the body (e.g., of scapula, mandible)
Retraction	Backward movement of a part of the body (e.g., of scapula, mandible)
Eversion	Movement of the sole of the foot outward (away from the midline)
Inversion	Movement of the sole of the foot inward (toward the midline)
Plantar flexion	Movement of the foot/toes downward toward the sole
Spine-specific
Inclination (ventral flexion)	Bending the head/torso forward
Reclination (dorsal extension)	Bending the head/torso backward
Lateral flexion	Bending the head/torso sideward
Rotation	Rotation of the head/torso on the longitudinal axis of the spine
Pelvis-specific
Nutation	Anterior tilting of the sacroiliac joint (top of the sacrum tilts forward)
Counternutation	Posterior tilting of the sacroiliac joint (top of the sacrum tilts backward)
Mandible-specific
Lateral excursion	Movement of the mandible away from the midline
Medial excursion	Movement of the mandible towards the midline

SUPination is required to hold a bowl of SOUP in your palms!

References:^[1]

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