M01.01.003 Anatomical Terms of Movement

The human body is an incredible machine, capable of a vast array of movements. To precisely describe these movements, especially in healthcare fields, we use a specific set of anatomical terms. This guide will equip you with the knowledge to understand and use these terms effectively.

Starting Position:

Imagine a person standing upright, arms at their sides, palms facing forward – this is the anatomical position. Most anatomical terms for movement are based on this starting point.

Movement in Planes:

Our body movements can be categorized based on the imaginary planes that pass through it.

• Sagittal plane: Divides the body into left and right halves. Movements in this plane are called flexion (decreasing the angle between two body parts) and extension (increasing the angle). Bending your elbow or kicking a ball are examples of flexion and extension, respectively.
• Coronal plane: Divides the body into front and back halves. Movements in this plane are called abduction (moving a limb away from the midline) and adduction (moving a limb towards the midline). Raising your arm out to the side is abduction while bringing your arms together in front of your chest is adduction.

Rotational Movements:

Rotations occur around a bone’s long axis. Here’s how we differentiate them:

• Medial rotation (internal rotation): Movement towards the midline of the body. Imagine turning your toes inwards while standing – that’s the medial rotation of the hip joint.
• Lateral rotation (external rotation): Movement away from the midline. Rotating your arm so your palm faces outwards is lateral rotation of the shoulder joint.

Up and Down Movements:

• Elevation: Moving a body part upwards (e.g., shrugging your shoulders).
• Depression: Moving a body part downwards (e.g., lowering your shoulders).

Special Movements of the Hand and Foot:

• Pronation and Supination: These terms describe how your forearm and hand rotate. Supination is turning your palm upwards (like holding a tray), while pronation is turning your palm downwards (like placing your hand on a table).
• Dorsiflexion and Plantarflexion: These describe movements at the ankle. Dorsiflexion points your toes upwards, while plantarflexion points them downwards.
• Inversion and Eversion: Movements of the foot at the ankle joint. Inversion turns the sole inwards, while eversion turns it outwards.

Unique Human Movements:

• Opposition: Bringing the thumb and little finger together (touching your fingertips).
• Reposition: Moving the thumb and little finger apart (opposite of opposition).

Complex Movements:

• Circumduction: A conical movement of a limb, like drawing a circle in the air with your arm outstretched.
• Protraction and Retraction: Movements of the shoulder blade on the chest wall. Protraction moves the shoulder forward (reaching), while retraction moves it backward (pulling).