What are the anatomical terms of movement used for?
To describe the actions of muscles upon the skeleton
Muscles contract to produce movement at joints, which can be precisely described using these terms.
What position does the body begin in when using anatomical terms of movement?
Anatomical position
This standard position allows for consistent terminology in describing movements.
Define Flexion.
Decreases the angle between two body parts
Example: Flexion at the elbow decreases the angle between the ulna and humerus.
Define Extension.
Increases the angle between two body parts
Example: Extension at the elbow increases the angle between the ulna and humerus.
What movements occur in the sagittal plane?
- Flexion
- Extension
These movements refer to increasing and decreasing the angle between body parts.
Define Abduction.
Movement away from the midline
Example: Abduction of the shoulder raises the arms out to the sides.
Define Adduction.
Movement towards the midline
Example: Adduction of the hip squeezes the legs together.
What do medial and lateral rotation describe?
- Medial rotation: Movement towards the midline
- Lateral rotation: Movement away from the midline
These terms describe rotational movements of the limbs around their long axis.
What is Elevation?
Movement in a superior direction
Example: Shoulder shrug.
What is Depression?
Movement in an inferior direction
Example: Lowering the shoulders.
Define Pronation.
Turning the hand palm down
This movement is performed with the elbow and shoulder still.
Define Supination.
Turning the hand palm up
This movement is performed with the elbow and shoulder still.
What do Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion refer to?
- Dorsiflexion: Flexion at the ankle, foot points superiorly
- Plantarflexion: Extension at the ankle, foot points inferiorly
These terms describe movements at the ankle.
Define Inversion.
Movement of the sole towards the median plane
This causes the sole to face medially.
Define Eversion.
Movement of the sole away from the median plane
This causes the sole to face laterally.
What are Opposition and Reposition?
- Opposition: Brings the thumb and little finger together
- Reposition: Moves the thumb and little finger away from each other
These movements are specific to humans and some great apes.
Define Circumduction.
Conical movement of a limb extending from the joint
It is often described as circular motion but is more accurately conical.
What do Protraction and Retraction describe?
- Protraction: Anterolateral movement of the scapula
- Retraction: Posteromedial movement of the scapula
Protraction allows the shoulder to move anteriorly, while retraction moves it posteriorly.
