Directional
Toward the mid-line, middle, away from the side.
Medial
Bending joints or decreasing the angle between two bones
Flexion
Lying face down
Prone
flexion of a body part beyond its normal range of motion
Hyperflexion
Appears on both sides of midline
Bilateral
Above, over
Superior
Moving a body part towards the midline
Adduction
Lying face up
Supine
refers to extension of a body part beyond its normal range of motion
Hyperextension
Appears on only one side of body
Unilateral
After, behind, following, toward the rear
Posterior
Straightening a joint or increasing the angle
Extension
Sitting straight up with knees either bent or straight
Fowler
full distance that a joint can be moved.
Range of motion
Same side of the body
Ipsilateral
Relating to organs within body cavities
Visceral
Moving a body part away from the midline
Abduction
sitting with the back at 45° angle
Semi-Fowler
turning an extremity toward the midline
Internal rotation
Opposite side of the body
Contralateral
Away from, farther from the orgin
Distal
Turning the arm or foot downward
Pronation
patient is lying on left side, with head resting on the bottom arm and top knee bent
Recovery position
turning an extremity away from the midline
External rotation
Toward or at the front of the body; in front of
Anterior (ventral)