Section 1 The Anatomical Position

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The Anatomical Position

In the same way that maps of the world are universally oriented in the North-South-East-West position, anatomists and physiologists look at the human body from a standard starting point. Diagrams of the anatomical position portray the body in an upright, standing position, face and feet pointing forward, with the arms at the side, and the forearms fully supinated (palms facing forward)

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Describing Position and Movement

A body movement can be described in terms of the anatomical plane through which it occurs and the anatomical axis around which it rotate. THE GENERAL RULE: The axis of rotation is perpendicular to the plane of movement.

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Anatomical Planes

Anatomical Planes: Anatomical planes relate to positions in space and are at right angles to one another. Transverse plane divides the body into superior and inferior segments. Sagittal plane divides the body into medial and lateral segments. Frontal or coronal plane divides the body into anterior and posterior segments.

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Anatomical Axes

Anatomical Axes: Axes are used to describe how rotation of the muscles and bones takes place. Longitudinal or polar axis is in a north-south relationship to the anatomical position. Horizontal or bilateral axis is in an east-west relationship to the anatomical position. Antero-posterior axis is in a front-to-back relationship to the anatomical position.

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Relationship between Planes and Axis

Axis of Rotation Plane of Motion Longitudinal (Polar) Horizontal (Bilateral) Antero-Posterior Transverse

Example Rotation of extremities, axial rotation Flexion, extension

Sagittal

Coronal (Frontal) Abduction, adduction

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Describing Position and Movement

anterior - front surface of the body posterior - back surface of the body superior - refers to structures being closer to the top of the body (excluding arms and legs) inferior - refers to structures being closer to the lower part of the body (excluding arms and legs) medial - towards the midline or mid-sagittal proximal - towards the upper segment of a limb distal - towards the lower segment of a limb

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Basic Movements Involving a Joint

Flexion - decreasing an angle between a joint Extension - increasing an angle between a joint Adduction - moving towards the midline Abduction - moving away from the midline Internal rotation - rotating inwardly towards the midline External rotation - rotating outwardly away from the midline Circumduction - circular motion Supination - lateral rotation of the forearm and hand Pronation - medial rotation of the forearm and hand Planter flexion - pointing the foot downward Dorsiflexion - pointing the foot upward
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Various Movements and Planes of Movement

Stride jump Cartwheel Elbow extension Nodding yes Tuck Somersault Twirling Shaking head no

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Various Movements and Planes of Movement

Motion Stride jump Cartwheel Elbow extension Nodding yes Tuck Somersault Twirling Shaking head no

Axis Antero-Posterior front-to-back Antero-Posterior front-to-back Bilateral east-west Bilateral east-west Bilateral east-west Bilateral east-west Polar north-south Polar north-south

Plane Frontal coronal Frontal coronal Sagittal Sagittal Sagittal Sagittal Transverse Transverse

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Helpful Hints

Axis of rotation is always perpendicular to the plane of movement. In the anatomical position, all flexion/extension occurs in the sagittal plane; all abduction/adduction occurs in the frontal plane; and all rotation occurs in the transverse plane. More involved movements are usually not in one specific plane but occur as a combination of motions from more than one plane.

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