:: Review of Musculoskeletal Terminology ::

¤ Terms of Position and Direction

Superior

=

toward the head or upper part of a structure

Inferior

=

away from the head or toward the lower part of a structure

AnteriorVentral

=

nearer to or at the front of the body

PosteriorDorsal

=

nearer to or at the back of the body

Superficial

=

toward or on the surface of the body

Deep

=

away from the surface of the body

Medial

=

nearer to the midline of the body or a structure

Lateral

=

farther from the midline of the body or a structure

Intermediate

=

between two structures

Proximal

=

nearer to the attachment of a limb to the trunknearer to the point of origin

Distal

=

farther from the attachment of a limb to the trunkfarther from the point of origin

Ipsilateral

=

on the same side of the body

Contralateral

=

on the opposite side of the body


¤ Terms of Movement

Flexion

=

a decrease in the angle of a joint

Extension

=

an increase in the angle of a joint

Abduction

=

movement away from the midline of the body

Adduction

=

movement towards the midline of the body

Horizontal Abduction

=

movement away from the midline of the body in a horizontal plane

Horizontal Adduction

=

movement towards the midline of the body in a horizontal plane

Medial Rotation

=

movement around a longitudinal axis toward the midline of the body

Lateral Rotation

=

movement around a longitudinal axis away from the midline of the body

Elevation

=

upward movement

Depression

=

downward movement

Protraction

=

forward movement (mandible and scapula)

Retraction

=

backward movement (mandible and scapula)

Supination

=

movement of forearm in which the palm is turned anteriorly

Pronation

=

movement of forearm in which the palm is turned posteriorly

Inversion

=

movement of the soles inward so they face each other

Eversion

=

movement of the soles outward so they face away from each other

Dorsiflexion

=

bending the foot upward