Anatomy Quiz: Understanding Planes of Movement and Directional Terms

Study Notes

Anatomical Plane Movements & Directions

Sagittal plane: flexion
Frontal plane: abduction, scapular elevation, lateral flexion
Transverse plane: internal rotation, horizontal abduction, pronation, spinal rotation
Medial direction: toward the mid-line
Lateral direction: toward the side
Superior direction: above
Inferior direction: below
Anterior (ventral) direction: front
Posterior (dorsal) direction: back
Proximal direction: toward trunk/near origin
Distal direction: away from trunk/far from origin
Superficial direction: closer to surface
Deep direction: away from surface
Unilateral movement: one side of the body
Bilateral movement: both sides of the body
Ipsilateral movement: same side of the body
Contralateral movement: opposite side of the body

Core Muscle Groups

Triceps Brachii

Origin: scapula (long head), humerus (medial and lateral head)
Insertion: ulna, elbow joint
Action: elbow extension

Biceps Brachii

Origin: scapula (supraglenoid tubercle-long head, coracoid process-short head)
Insertion: radial tuberosity
Action: flexion and supination of the forearm, abduction, adduction, and internal rotation of the arm

Brachialis

Origin: humerus
Insertion: ulnar tuberosity
Action: major elbow flexor, can be isolated with pronation

Pectoralis Major

Origin: clavicle (clavicular part), sternum, first 7 costal cartilages, sixth rib, aponeurosis of the external oblique
Insertion: humerus
Action: shoulder adduction, internal rotation, flexion (via clavicular part), extension (via sternocostal part)

Deltoid

Origin: clavicle (anterior aspect), acromion process (medial), spine of scapula (posterior)
Insertion: humerus (deltoid tuberosity)
Action: shoulder flexion and internal rotation (anterior aspect), abduction (medial), extension and external rotation (posterior)

Latissimus Dorsi

Origin: spinous processes of T7-T12 vertebrae, lower 3-4 ribs, thoracolumbal fascia, iliac crest
Insertion: humerus
Action: shoulder extension, adduction, internal rotation, secondary respiratory muscle, anterior rotation of pelvis

Trapezius

Origin: occipital bone, nuchal ligament (superior part), spinous processes of T1-T4 (middle), T5-T12 (inferior)
Insertion: clavicle (superior), acromion (middle), scapular spine (inferior)
Action: stabilization of scapula, moves scapula medially, rotates externally, scapular/shoulder elevation, depression, stabilization and movement of the head

Gluteus Maximus

Origin: iliac crest, sacrum, coccyx, thoracolumbal fascia, sacrotuberous ligament
Insertion: femur (gluteal tuberosity), iliotibial tract
Action: hip extension, external rotation, abduction (superior fibers), adduction (inferior fibers)

Gluteus Medius and Minimus

Origin: ilium (lateral surface)
Insertion: femur (greater trochanter)
Action: hip abduction, extension, external rotation (dorsal fibers), flexion, internal rotation (ventral fibers), stabilization of the pelvis

Tensor Fascia Latae

Origin: ilium (iliac spine, iliac crest)
Insertion: IT band
Action: hip flexion, abduction, internal rotation, stabilization of the pelvis, assisting in knee flexion and external rotation

Hip Adductors

Origin: pubis, ischium
Insertion: femur
Action: hip adduction, internal and external rotation, extension, flexion

Hamstrings

Origin: ischial tuberosity
Insertion: tibia, fibula
Action: hip extension, knee flexion, assists in internal and external rotation of the femur and lower leg

Quadriceps

Origin: ilium, femur
Insertion: tibia
Action: knee extension, hip flexion, assists in internal and external rotation of the knee

Calves

Origin: femur
Insertion: back of the heel via Achilles tendon
Action: plantar flexion of the foot and ankle

Abdominals

Origin: pelvis
Insertion: ribcage (thorax)
Action: support the trunk, move the trunk, protect the spine, hold organs in place

Erector Spinae

Origin: thoracic vertebrae (T9-T12), ilium (iliac crest)
Insertion: T1-T2, cervical vertebrae
Action: movement of the vertebral column (extension, lateral flexion)

Description

Test your knowledge of anatomical planes and directional terms. This quiz covers sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes, as well as terms such as medial, lateral, superior, and inferior. Understand the movements and directions in the human body.