Anatomical Terminology
Superior Toward the head E.g. The cranium is superior to the patella
Inferior Toward the feet E.g. The carpals are inferior
to the humerus
Anterior Front E.g. the mandible is on the
anterior side of the head
Posterior Back E.g. the vertebrae is on
the posterior side of the trunk
Medial Toward the midline E.g. the large phalange
is on the medial side of the metatarsals
Lateral Toward the side E.g. the ears are on the
lateral aspect of the head
Proximal Nearer the body E.g. the shoulder is at the proximal end of
the humerus
Distal Further from the trunk E.g. the carpals are at the
distal end of the ulna
Flexion Bending movement that decreases the
angle between two parts
Extension Straightening movement that increases the
angle between body parts
Abduction Motion that pulls a structure or part away from
the midline of the body
Adduction Motion that pulls a structure or part toward the midline of the body, or towards the midline of a limb
Circumduction Combination of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction E.g. spinning the arm when bowling a cricket ball
Agonist Agonist muscles cause a movement to occur through
their own contraction
Antagonist Antagonist muscles oppose movement. This controls a
motion, slows it down and returns a limb to its initial position.
Agonist/antagonist pairs E.g. pectorals/latissimus dorsi; trapezius/deltoids
quadriceps/hamstrings ; biceps/triceps; forearm flexors/extensors
Activity
NB: Anterior is sometimes called Ventraland posterior is sometimes called Dorsal
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Quiz