Basic Anatomical Terminology and Planes of Motion
In order to easily refer to any part of human anatomy or describe any human motion, one must understand the terminology for the three dimensional planes that the human body moves in and some terminology that explains anatomy or motion based on a reference point on the body.
Planes of Motion
The human body moves in three dimension space, and each of those dimensional planes has a name.
- Motion within the Sagittal Plane is forward or backward and is parallel to an imaginary plane dividing the body's left and right sections
- Motion within the Frontal Plane is left or right and is parallel to an imaginary plane dividing the body's front and back sections
- Motion within the Transverse Plane is rotational and is parallel to an imaginary plane dividing the body's upper and lower sections, also the waistline
Anatomical Reference Terms
The following terms are vital to describing anything in relation to a fixed point of human anatomy
Term
| Refers to
| Term
| Refers To
|
|---|---|---|---|
Anterior
| Toward the Front
| Ventral
| Same as Anterior; Toward the Front
|
Posterior
| Toward the Back
| Dorsal
| Same as Posterior; Toward the Back
|
Superior
| Toward the Head; Upper
| Inferior
| Away from the Head; Lower
|
Medial
| Toward the midline of body (spine)
| Lateral
| Away from the Midline of body (spine)
|
Proximal
| Toward the attached end of the limb, origin of the structure, or midline of the body
| Distal
| Away from the attached end of the limb, origin of the structure, or midline of the body
|
Superficial
| External; close to or on the surface of the body
| Deep
| Internal; located further beneath the surface of the body than superficial structures
|
Cervical
| The region of the neck
| Thoracic
| The region between the neck and the abdomen; the region of the chest
|
Lumbar
| Region of back between the abdomen and the pelvis
| Plantar
| The sole or bottom of the feet
|
Dorsal
| Top surface of feet or hands
| Palmar
| The palm of the hands
|
Examples of Terminology in Motion
Fundamental Movement Terminology
To better understand the terminology, try doing each movement.
Movements in the Sagittal Plane
- Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two bones
- Extension: Increasing the angle between two bones
- Dorsiflexion: Moving the top of the foot toward the shin at the ankle joint
- Plantarflexion: Moving the sole of the foot downward; pointing the toes
Movements in the Frontal Plane
- Abduction: Motion away from the midline of the body
- Adduction: Motion toward the midline of the body
- Elevation: Moving to a superior position (i.e. shoulder shrugs)
- Depression: Moving to an inferior position
- Inversion: Lifting the medial border of the foot
- Eversion: Lifting the lateral border of the foot
Movement in the Transverse Plane
- Rotation: Internal or External turning about the vertical axis of bone
- Pronation: Rotating the hand and wrist medially from the elbow
- Supination: Rotating the hand and wrist laterally from the elbow
- Horizontal flexion/adduction: From a 90-degree abducted arm position, the humerus is flexed/adducted in toward the midline of the body
- Horizontal extension/abduction: The return of the humerus from horizontal flexion/adduction
Multiplanar Movements
- Circumduction: Motion that describes a "cone"; combines flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction in sequence
- Opposition: Thumb movement unique to humans and primates
Using what you know
view quiz statisticsAbout this Hub
As I study for certification as a Personal Trainer with the American Council on Exercise, I'm creating these hubs which follow along with the course material. If you are studying for ACE Certification as well, you can use these hubs for exam review, or just use them as general information to better understand exercise science.
Thanks for Reading!
If you like this hub, please click here to share it.
I love hearing your feedback, or suggestions for what I should cover next, so PLEASE leave me a comment below.
If you have questions, comment below. I do read and respond! It's always an open discussion in my hubs :)
Be sure to follow me on Hubpages for new articles!
You can follow me on Facebook at:
facebook.com/yourcoachmatt
and
facebook.com/iqpawf
And on Twitter @yourcoachmatt
For information about personal coaching, book your free consultation from the 'Book Now' tab at fb.com/yourcoachmatt. Limited spaces available!
Related
The Anatomical Structure Of The Human Body Is A Product of Evolution
Every Organ Tells a Story 2: A History of Anatomical Terms
-
Every Organ Tells a Story 1: A History of Anatomical Terms
You Can Learn a Lot Just by Looking at How People Move
Every Organ Tells a Story 3: A History of Anatomical Terms
