Directional Terms
From a low position, also referred to as caudal
What is inferior?
This standard position assumes the body is upright, facing forward, with palms facing forward.
What is the anatomical position?
This muscle action increases the angle between two body parts.
What is extension?
This approach organizes the nervous system based on sensory input, integration, and motor output.
What is the functional approach?
Divides the body into left and right halves
What is the sagittal plane?
From a high position and can also be called cranial
What is superior?
This orientation is frequently used in neurology and differs from standard anatomical orientation.
What is neurological orientation?
This muscle action decreases the angle between two body parts.
What is flexion?
This approach organizes the nervous system based on sensory input, integration, and motor output.
What is the functional approach?
Divides the body into superior and inferior portions
What is the transverse plane?
Toward the body’s midline
What is medial?
This orientation is commonly used by healthcare providers when examining a patient.
What is clinical orientation?
This movement moves a body part away from the midline.
What is abduction?
This approach organizes the nervous system by physical structures such as the CNS and PNS.
What is the anatomical approach?
Divides the body into anterior and posterior portions
What is the frontal/ coronal plane?
Away from the body’s midline
What is lateral?
In neurological orientation, this term refers to the top of the brain.
What is dorsal?
This movement brings a body part toward the midline.
What is adduction?
This system controls voluntary muscle movement.
What is the somatic nervous system?
Divides the body exactly at the midline
What is the midsagittal plane?
Describes structures on opposite sides of the body
What is contralateral?
In neurological orientation, this term refers to the bottom of the brain.
What is ventral?
This movement describes rotating a limb inward toward the body’s midline.
What is medial rotation?
This system regulates involuntary functions such as heart rate and digestion.
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Divides the body into unequal left and right sections
What is the parasagittal plane?