Anatomy Worksheet

frontal plane – pertaining to the forehead
sagittal plane – A plane or section that divides a structure into the right and left portions
transverse plane – At right angles to the long axis of a part; crosswise
medial – Toward or near the midline
superficial – Near the surface
superior – Pertaining to the structure that is higher than another structure
inferior – Situated below something else; pertaining to the lower surface of a part
anterior – Pertaining to the front
posterior –Toward the back; Opposite of anterior
distal – Farther from the midline or origin; opposite of proximal
proximal – Closer to the midline ; opposite of distal
flexion – Bending at a joint to decrease the angle between bones
extension – Movement increasing the angle between parts at a joint
pronation – Movement of the palm downward or backward.
supine – Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces upward when the arm is outstretched
abduction – Movement of the body part away from the midline
adduction – Movement of a body part toward the midline
circumduction – Movement of a body part, such as a limb, so that the end follows a circular path
inversion – Movement in which the sole of the foot is turned inward
eversion – Outward turning movement of the sole of the foot
elevation –Upward movement of a part of the body
depression – Downward displacement
anatomical position – A body posture with the body erect, the face forward, the arms at the sides with the palms facing forward and the toes pointing straight ahead
dorsal – on the rear or the back
ventral – Pertaining to the front or anterior
interior – On the inside
exterior – On the outside
peripheral – Pertaining to parts located near the surface or toward the outside
lateral – Pertaining to the sides