Directional Terms 1
Something that is above, or higher than, another structure
Superior
Something that is below, or lower than, another structure
Inferior
Passes from the front through the back of the body - creating a left side and right side
Sagittal Plane
Reduction of the angle formed by the bones of the joint
Flexion
Increase in the joint angle
Extension
Something that is farther away from the midline of the body than another structure
Lateral
Something that is closer to the midline of the body than another structure
Medial
Passes from one side of the body to the other, creating a front side and back side of the body
Frontal Plane
Foot moves upward toward the anterior leg
Dorsiflexion
Foot moves downward
Plantar Flexion
A structure that is in front of another structure
Anterior
A structure that is behind another structure
Posterior
Passes through the body horizontally to create top and bottom segments of the body
Horizontal Plane
What plane of motion do flexion and extension occur in
Sagittal
What plane of motion do abduction/adduction occur in
Frontal
Something that is closer to the trunk
Proximal
Something that is further away from the trunk
Distal
The top side of a structure
Movement away from the midline of the body
Abduction
Rotation laterally, away from the midline of the body
External Rotation
A structure that is closer to the surface of the body
Superficial
A structure that is more internal or away from the surface of the body
Deep
The underside or bottom of a structure
Volar
What plane of motion does rotation occur in
Horizontal
Turning the forearm outward and palm upward
Supination