10 Questions
Which term describes a structure being closer to the midline of the body?
Medial
In anatomy, what term is used to describe a structure that is away from the point of attachment or the trunk of the body?
Distal
Which term is used to describe a structure closer to the surface of the body?
Superficial
What term is used for movement away from the midline of the body?
Abduction
Which term describes a structure being closer to the point of attachment or the trunk of the body?
Deep
What term is used for moving a body part toward the midline of the body?
Adduction
Which term describes a structure being further from the surface of the body?
Deep
What term is used for moving a body part away from the midline of the body?
Abduction
Which term describes structures on the same side of the body?
Ipsilateral
In anatomy, what term is used to describe movement that increases the angle between two body parts?
Extension
Study Notes
Terms of Movement
- Flexion: Bending the body part or decreasing the angle between the body parts
- Extension: Straightening the body part or increasing the angle between body parts
- Abduction: Moving away from the median plane (e.g. toes 3-5 moving away from the 2nd toe, or the 2nd finger moving away from the 3rd finger)
- Adduction: Moving towards the median plane (e.g. toes 3-5 moving towards the 2nd toe, or the 2nd finger moving towards the 3rd finger)
- Rotation: Movement around the long axis (medial/internal or lateral/external)
- Circumduction: Combination of movements including flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction
- Protraction: Moving the structure anteriorly/forward
- Retraction: Moving the structure posteriorly/backward
- Elevation: Raising the structure cephalad (superiorly)
- Depression: Lowering the structure
- Supination: Rotating the forearm laterally (palm up)
- Pronation: Rotating the forearm medially (palm down)
- Ulnar deviation: Adduction of the wrist
- Radial deviation: Abduction of the wrist
- Opposition: Thumb moving medially to meet the other fingers
- Reposition: Putting the thumb back to a neutral position
- Eversion: Plantar surface of the foot moving laterally
- Inversion: Plantar surface of the foot moving medially
Terms of Relationship and Direction
- Lateral: Describes a structure being further from the midline (e.g. thumb or little toe)
- Anterior or ventral: Describes a structure being closer to the front of the body (e.g. nose, palms)
- Posterior or dorsal: Describes a structure being closer to the back of the body (e.g. heel, spine)
- Palmar: Refers to the anterior aspect of the hand
- Dorsum: Refers to the posterior aspect of the hand and top of the foot
- Plantar: Refers to the sole of the foot
- Superior or cephalad: Describes structures being closer to the head
- Inferior or caudad or caudal: Describes structures further from the head, towards the feet
- Proximal: Describes a structure being closer to the origin or trunk
- Distal: Describes a structure being further from the origin or trunk
- External: Describes a structure being closer to the surface (skin) of the body
- Internal: Describes a structure being closer to the bones of the body
Terms of Laterality
- Ipsilateral: On the same side of the body
- Contralateral: On the opposite side of the body
- Bilateral: Both sides of the body (e.g. we have 2 kidneys, therefore bilateral kidneys)
- Unilateral: One side only of the body
Test your knowledge on terms of movement in anatomy, including flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. Understand how these movements affect the positioning of body parts relative to each other.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
