Body Positions and Planes of Motion Quiz

Objectives

• Identify different body positions
• Understand how base of support affects body positions and stability
• Identify anatomical position
• Identify planes of motion and axes
• Identify movements in different planes and positions

Reference Positions

• Anatomical Position: Most accurate position for body analysis. Standing erect, facing forward, feet parallel, palms facing forward.
• Fundamental Position: Essentially the same as anatomical position except arms are at the sides, facing the body. All joints are at 0 degrees except ankle (90 degrees), and forearm position varies.

Planes of Motion and Axes of Rotation

• Sagittal Plane: Divides the body into left and right halves. Movement occurs front to back.
• Frontal (Coronal) Plane: Divides the body into front and back halves. Movement occurs side to side.
• Transverse Plane: Divides the body into top and bottom halves. Movement occurs around a vertical axis.
• Axes of Rotation:
  • Frontal Axis: Mediolateral or side-to-side.
  • Sagittal Axis: Anteroposterior or front to back.
  • Longitudinal Axis: Vertical or up-down.

Frontal Plane Movements

• Abduction: Movement away from the midline of the body
• Adduction: Movement toward the midline of the body
• Radial Deviation: Movement of the wrist toward the radius (thumb side)
• Ulnar Deviation: Movement of the wrist toward the ulna (pinky side)
• Lateral Flexion: Side bending of the vertebral column

Transverse Plane Movements

• Rotation: Movement around a central axis
• Internal Rotation: Movement of a limb toward the body's midline.
• External Rotation: Movement of a limb away from the body's midline.
• Supination/Pronation: Rotation of the forearm and hand, allowing palms to face upward (supination) or downward (pronation)

Sagittal Plane Movements

• Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two body parts.
• Extension: Increasing the angle between two body parts.
• Hyperextension: Extension beyond the anatomical position.
• Dorsiflexion: Lifting the foot up (toes pointing upward).
• Plantar Flexion: Pointing the toes downward.

Special Hand & Foot Movements

• Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot inward
• Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot outward
• Pronation: Turning the palm of the hand downward
• Supination: Turning the palm of the hand upward

Circumduction

• Combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, creating a circular motion. This occurs at ball-and-socket, saddle, and condyloid joints.

Special Movements of Mandible (Jaw)

• Elevation: Upward movement
• Depression: Downward movement
• Protraction: Forward movement
• Retraction: Backward movement
• Scapular motion: Movement of the shoulder blade

Additional Notes

• Movement, planes of motion, and axes when someone is supine, compare to anatomical position for appropriate rotation. Analyze arm positions (90-degree abduction, arm flexion, and extension) to understand the related planes and axis of motion.

Test your understanding of various body positions and how the base of support influences stability. This quiz will also cover the anatomical position, planes of motion, and axes of rotation involved in human movement.