Anatomical Terminology

lying face up

lying face down

at the front

at the back

towards the head

towards the tail

near the midline of the body or structure

away from the midline of the body or structure

near a reference point

away from reference point

Divides body into equal left and right parts

aka Median Plane

Divides body into unequal left and right parts

Divides body into equal or unequal anterior and posterior parts

Divides body into equal or unequal superior and inferior parts (cross sections)

flexion, extension

abduction, adduction, lateral flexion/extension, elevation/depression

rotation, pronation, supination, retraction, protraction, inversion, eversion, horizontal flexion/extension

bending that decreases angle between two parts

movement that increases angle between body parts

motion that pulls structure away from midline of body

motion that pulls structure toward midline of body

aka medial rotation, turning limb toward midline of the body

aka lateral rotation, turning limb away from center of body

conical movement of body part, like the hip, shoulder, or eye

movement in superior direction (lifting shoulders up)

movement in an inferior direction (dropping shoulders)

toes brought closer to shin (upwards), decreases angle between dorsum of foot and leg

toes pressed down further away from shin/leg, decreases angle between sole of foot and back of leg

decreasing angle between palm and forearm, pushing hand down

extension at the wrist, bring it up

forearm/palm turns inward, like pouring some tea

forearm/palm turns outward, like holding bowl of soup

movement of the sole of the foot away from median plane

movement of sole towards the median plane

jutting jaw out, anterior motion along transverse plane

pulling jaw back, posterior motion along transverse plane

moving towards midline

moving away from midline