Anatomical terms
Last updated: April 10, 2021Summary
Anatomical terms are used to describe specific areas and movements of the body as well as the relation of body parts to each other. It is essential for health professionals to have knowledge of anatomical terms in order to effectively communicate with colleagues in a scientific manner.
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 |
|
| Posterior |
|
| 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 |
|
| Caudal |
|
| 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 |
|
| Lateral |
|
| Prone |
- Horizontal positioning in which the anterior surface faces downwards
|
| Supine |
- Horizontal positioning in which the anterior surface faces upwards
|
Cranial anatomical terms
Axes and planes
Anatomical axes
| Main axes | Definition |
| Longitudinal axis |
|
| Sagittal axis |
|
| 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 |
|
| Retroversion |
|
| 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 |
|
| Inferior rotation |
|
| Protraction |
|
| Retraction |
|
| 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 |
|
| Pelvis-specific |
| Nutation |
|
| Counternutation |
|
| Mandible-specific |
| Lateral excursion |
- Movement of the mandible away from the midline
|
| Medial excursion |
- Movement of the mandible away towards the midline
|
SUPination is required to hold a bowl of SOUP in your palms! 
References:[1]
References
