The Anatomical Position:
A body movement can be described in terms of the anatomical plane through
which it occurs and the anatomical axis through which it rotates.
The General Rule: The axis of rotation is perpendicular to the plane of
movement
Anatomical Planes: relates the positions in the space and are at right angles
of each other
3 main planes
Transverse (Horizontal) Plane: divides the body into superior (upper) and
inferior (lower) segments
Sagital (Medial) Plane: divides the body into left and right parts, medial
(close to the midline) and lateral (further away from the midline)
Coronal (Frontal) Plane: divides the body into anterior (frontal) and
posterior (rear) segments
Anatomical Axis: are used to describe the rotation of the muscles and bones
which takes place.
3 main axes
Longitudinal (Polar) Axis: is in a “North - South” relationship to the
anatomical position
Horizontal (Bilateral) Axis is in a “East - West” relationship to the
anatomical position
Antero-posterior axis: is in a “front to back” relationship to the anatomical
position
Relationship between the Planes & Axes:
Axis of Rotation
Horizontal
(Bilateral)
Longitudinal
(Polar)
AntereoPosterior
Plane of Motion
Sagital (Medial)
Transverse
(Horizontal)
Coronal (Frontal)
Example
Trunk Flexion, &
Extension
Rotation of
Extremities
Abduction,
Adduction
Describing Position & Movement:
-
anterior – front surface of the body
-
posterior – rear surface of the body
-
superior – refers to the structure being closer to the top of the
body (Note: Doesn’t include arms and legs)
-
inferior – refers to the structure being closer to the bottom of
the body (Note: Doesn’t include arms and legs)
-
medial - towards the midline/ mid-sagittal
-
lateral – away from the midline/ mid-sagittal
-
proximal – towards the upper segment of the limb
-
distal - away from the upper segment of the limb
Basic Movements Involving a Joint
-
flexion – decreasing the angle between a joint
-
extension – increasing the angle between a joint
-
adduction – moving towards the midline
-
abduction – moving away from the midline
-
internal (medial) rotation – rotating medially toward the midline
-
external (lateral) rotation-rotating laterally away from the midline
-
circumduction – a circular motion that is a combination of flexion,
extension, adduction & adduction (only occurs at shoulders & hips)
-
supination – lateral rotation of the forearm/ hand
-
pronation - medial rotation of the forearm/ hand
-
plantar flexion – pointing the foot downwards/ inferiorly
-
dorsiflexion - pointing the foot upwards/ superiorly
-
elevation – movement of the shoulders superiorly
-
depression - movement of the shoulders inferiorly
-
opposition – special motion that allows the thumb to touch the
fingers
-
inversion – movement of the foot towards the medial plane with
the foot facing inwards (common method of rolling ankle)
-
eversion - movement of the foot towards the lateral plane with
the foot facing outwards
Movement
Axis of Rotation
Plane of Motion
Stride Jump
Cart Wheel
Elbow Extension
Nodding Yes
Tuck
Somersault
Twirling
Shaking Head No
Anterior-posterior
Anterior-posterior
Horizontal
Horizontal
Horizontal
Horizontal
Polar
Polar
Frontal
Frontal
Medial
Medial
Medial
Medial
Horizontal
Horizontal
Helpful Hints:
The axis of rotation is always perpendicular to the
plane of movement.
Therefore, from anatomical position:
Flexion & Extension – always occur through medial
plane & rotate around the horizontal axis
Adduction & Adduction – always occur through
frontal plane & rotate around the anterior-posterior
axis
Medial & Lateral Rotation – always occur through
horizontal plane & rotate around the polar axis
The Anatomical Position:
A body movement can be described in terms of the anatomical plane through
which it occurs and the anatomical axis through which it rotates.
The General Rule: The axis of rotation is perpendicular to the plane of
movement
Anatomical Planes: relates the positions in the space and are at right angles
of each other
Transverse (Horizontal) Plane:
Sagital (Medial) Plane:
Coronal (Frontal) Plane:
Anatomical Axis: are used to describe the rotation of the muscles and bones
which takes place.
Longitudinal (Polar) Axis:
Horizontal (Bilateral) Axis
Antero-posterior axis:
Relationship between the Planes & Axes:
Axis of Rotation
Horizontal (Bilateral)
Plane of Motion
Sagital (Medial)
Longitudinal (Polar)
Transverse (Horizontal)
Example
Trunk Flexion, &
Extension
Rotation of Extremities
Antereo-Posterior
Coronal (Frontal)
Abduction, Adduction
Describing Position & Movement:
-
anterior
-
posterior
-
superior
-
inferior
-
medial
-
lateral
-
proximal
-
distal
Basic Movements Involving a Joint
-
flexion
-
extension
-
adduction
-
abduction
-
adduction
-
internal rotation
-
external rotation
-
circumduction
-
supination
-
pronation
-
inversion
-
eversion
-
plantar flexion
-
dorsiflexion
-
elevation
-
depression
-
opposition
Movement
Stride Jump
Cart Wheel
Elbow Extension
Nodding Yes
Tuck
Somersault
Twirling
Shaking Head No
Helpful Hints:
Axis of Rotation
Plane of Motion