Thursday, August 30, 2007

Definitions

Terms:
frontal plane- A plane parallel to the long axis of the body and perpendicular to the sagittal plane that separates the body into front and back portions.
sagittal plane- A longitudinal plane that divides the body of a bilaterally symmetrical animal into right and left sections.
transverse plane-

a plane across the body at right angles to the coronal and sagittal plane and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a body or object; also, a plane dividing the body into an upper and lower section; also called
Medial- dividing an animal into right and left halves
superficial- on, or affecting, the surface only
superior- higher in rank, better, or greater, than
inferior- of poor, or poorer, quality
anterior- of or near the head end or toward the front plane of a body
posterior- the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
distal- situated farthest from point of attachment or origin, as of a limb or bone
proximal- situated toward the point of origin or attachment, as of a limb or bone
flexion- The act of bending a joint or limb in the body by the action of flexors
extension- an act or instance of extending
pronation- rotation of the hand or forearm so that the surface of the palm is facing downward or toward the back
supine- lying on the back, face or front upward.
abduction- To draw away from the midline of the body or from an adjacent part or limb.
adduction- To draw inward toward the median axis of the body or toward an adjacent part or limb.
circumduction- The circular movement of a limb such that the distal end of the limb delineates an arc.
inversion- the turning inward of a part, as the foot. Eversion- a turning or being turned outward or inside out.
Elevation- the height to which something is elevated or to which it rises
Depression- a low state of vital powers or functional activity.

anatomical position- The erect position of the body with the face directed forward, the arms at the side, and the palms of the hands facing forward, used as a reference in describing the relation of body parts to one another.
Dorsal- situated on or toward the upper side of the body, equivalent to the back, or posterior, in humans.
Ventral- situated on or toward the lower, abdominal plane of the body
Interior- inside of anything
Exterior- being on the outer side
Peripheral- near the surface or outside of
Lateral- of or pertaining to the side