KIN 303 - Orientation Terminology

Center of Gravity

The Sagittal Plane runs anterior to posterior and superior to inferior.

Away from or farther from the midline of the body.

Area of interest

The Longitudinal Axis, also known as the Vertical, Frontal-Sagittal, or Twist Axis, is a line running from top to bottom and perpendicular to the transverse plane. It is defined by the intersection of a frontal plane with a sagittal plane.

Adduction/Abduction, Radial & Ulnar Deviation, Inversion, Eversion, Lateral Flexion

The body is dissected with planes to help anatomists explain imaginary dissections and to describe the relative movements of body parts.

The Sagittal Plane is also known as the Anteroposterior Plane.

Toward or close to the head

The sagittal plane divides the body into equal right and left halves.

All planes are perpendicular to one another.

Center of Mass

The Transverse Plane divides the body into superior and inferior parts.

Just beneath the skin

Shoulder, hip, wrist, ankle, trunk, and neck

Vertical axis

All three anatomical planes (sagittal, frontal, and transverse) are perpendicular to each other.

The Anteroposterior Axis (AP Axis), also known as the Sagittal, Sagittal-Transverse, or Cartwheel Axis, is a line running from anterior to posterior and perpendicular to the frontal planes. It is defined by the intersection of a transverse plane with a sagittal plane.

Frontal plane

Mediolateral axes movements occur in the sagittal plane.

Lines that are perpendicular to the anatomical planes.

Diagonal planes and axes are used to help describe movements of limbs during sport activities and exercise.

Vertical plane

Toward or closer to the end of the limb farthest from its attachment to the body.

A certain type of plane can dissect the body in different areas and is always parallel to the same type of plane dissecting the body somewhere else.

'Distal' refers to a position farther from the trunk of the body or the point of attachment.

The standard reference position for the body when describing locations, positions, or movements of limbs or other anatomical structures.

The Transverse Plane runs side to side and anterior to posterior.

Joint actions that occur diagonally should be described by specifying the plane and axis used.

Close to the midline of the body.

Toward or closer to the attachment of the limb to the body.

A plane is a flat two-dimensional surface.

'Anterior (ventral)' refers to the front of the body or nearer to the front.

The Transverse Plane is also known as the Horizontal Plane.

An infinite number of these axes can pass through the body.

Toward or close to the feet

Human movement description uses terminology that describes the relative movements of two limbs on either side of a joint rather than individual limb movements.

The transverse plane divides the body into equal upper and lower halves.

The types of movements that occur along the mediolateral axis include flexion, extension, hyperextension, plantarflexion, and dorsiflexion.

The anatomical position is a standard position of the body used as a reference in anatomy. In this position, the body stands erect, facing forward, with feet together and parallel, arms at the sides, and palms facing forward.

'Lateral' indicates a position farther from the midline of the body.

The Frontal Plane, also known as the Coronal or Lateral Plane, runs side to side, runs superior to inferior, and divides the body into anterior and posterior parts.

Toward the rear of the body

Farther from the skin

Frontal axis

There is only one axis around which the motion can occur, and it is perpendicular to the plane.

'Medial' refers to a position closer to the midline of the body.

The Mediolateral Axis, also known as the Lateral, Frontal, Transverse, Frontal-Transverse, or Somersault Axis, is a line running from left to right and perpendicular to the sagittal planes. It is defined by the intersection of a transverse plane with a frontal plane.

Toward the front of the body

The three basic axes are the Anteroposterior Axis (Sagittal), Mediolateral Axis (Frontal), and Longitudinal Axis (Vertical).

Hip, shoulder, radioulnar joint, neck, and trunk

The three anatomical planes are Sagittal, Frontal, and Transverse.

Circumduction is a multiple-axis joint action that occurs around the mediolateral and anteroposterior (AP) axis. It involves flexion combined with abduction and then adduction, or extension and hyperextension combined with abduction and then adduction. Essentially, it combines movement in all planes.

External & Internal Rotation, Horizontal Adduction & Abduction, Supination, Pronation, Trunk & Neck Rotation

Sagittal axis

'Inferior (caudal)' means a position below or lower than another part of the body, closer to the feet.

The Sagittal Plane divides the body into right and left parts.

A plane that passes through the midpoint or center of gravity of the body.

The frontal plane divides the body into equal front and back halves.

All axes are perpendicular to one another.

Mediolateral axes movements occur at the wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and intervertebral joints.

There is only one plane where the motion can occur, and it is perpendicular to the axis.

'Superior (cephalic)' refers to a position above or higher than another part of the body, closer to the head.

'Posterior (dorsal)' indicates the back of the body or nearer to the back.

'Proximal' refers to a position nearer to the trunk of the body or the point of attachment.