The document outlines the anatomical position, which serves as a standard reference for describing human body structures. It details various anatomical planes, terms of position, terms of movement, and concepts of laterality that are essential for understanding human anatomy. These elements provide a framework for accurately analyzing and communicating about the human body and its movements.

1. Planes of body and
Anatomical terms

2. Anatomical position
 The anatomical position is
the standard reference
orientation of the human body.
 It is used to provide a clear
and consistent mechanism of
describing the location of
structures
 In the anatomical position,
the body is upright, directly
facing the observer, feet flat
and directed forward. The
upper limbs are at the body's
sides with the palms facing
forward.

4. Planes of body
 Sagittal plane
The sagittal plane is a vertical plane which passes through the body
longitudinally. It divides the body into a left section and a right
section.
 A specific sagittal plane is the median sagittal plane – which passes
down the midline of the body, separating it into equal halves
 Median plane (midsagital plane)
This is a vertical plane that divides the right and left sides of the body
lengthwise along with midline into externally symmetrical section.

6. Planes of body
 Coronal plane (frontal plane)
Any vertical side to side plane at right angles to the median plane is called
coronal plane.
 Transverse plane (horizontal plane)
The transverse plane is a horizontal plane. It is perpendicular to both
the sagittal and coronal planes, and parallel to the ground.
If the body is divide into upper and lower section is called transverse
plane.
 The plane is at right angle to median, sagittal, and coronal planes.

7. Anatomical Terms of Position
 Superior (cranial): Towards the head or upper part of the body;
above
 Inferior (caudal): Away from the head or toward the lower part of
the body; below
 Ventral (anterior): Toward or at the front of the body; in front of
 Dorsal (posterior): Toward or at the back of the body; behind
 Medial: Toward or at the midline of the body
 Lateral: Away from the midline of the body

9. Anatomical Terms of Position
 Proximal: Closer to the origin of the body part or point of
attachment of a limb to the body trunk
 Distal: Away from the origin of a body part or point of
attachment of a limb to the body trunk
 Superficial (external): Toward or at the body surface
 Deep (internal): Away from the body surface
 Palmer: Refer to anterior surface of hand.
 Planter: Refer to anterior surface of the foot.

12. Terms of Movement
 Flexion: Refers to a movement that decreases the angle
between two body parts. Flexion at the elbow is decreasing the
angle between the ulna and the humerus
 Extension: refers to a movement that increases the angle
between two body parts. Extension at the elbow is increasing the
angle between the ulna and the humerus
 Abduction: is action of moving the limb away from the median
plane of the body.
 Adduction: is a movement towards the midline. Adduction of the
hip squeezes the legs together.

13. Terms of Movement
 Rotation: Rotation is a movement of body part around its own long
axis.
 When the interior surface rotate medially the movement is called
medial rotation. And if the interior surface rotate laterally the
movement is called lateral rotation.
 Circumduction: When a part is moved successively through Flexion,
abduction, extension and adduction is called circumduction.

14. Terms of Movement
 Pronation and supination:
 Pronation and supination are movements limited to the
forearm and hand .
 In the anatomical position the forearm and the hand are
supinated.
 When the dorsum of the hand is turned forward without
rotation of the upper arm this constitute pronation of the
forearm.

15. Terms of Movement
 Inversion and eversion
Inversion is the movement that turns the sole of the
foot inward or medially.
Eversion is the turning of the foot outward or laterally.

16. Terms of Movement
 Planter flexion and dorsiflexion:
 Flexion of foot is called planter flexion. This movement increases angle
between foot and leg.
 Extension of foot is called dorsiflexion. This movement decreases angle
between foot and leg.

17. Terms of Movement
 Protraction and retraction:
Protraction (a forward movement) and retraction (a
backward movement) e.g. lower jaw ,movement of
shoulder girdle.

18. Terms of Movement
 Elevation and depression:
 Elevation means raising a part. E.g. lower jaw is elevated when mouth is closed.
 Depression is opposite movement to elevation lowering a body part e.g. movement of the
lower jaw to open the mouth.

19. Terms of movement
 Opposition and reposition
 Opposition and reposition movements are peculiar to hand. During opposition the thumb
pad is brought to touch and to oppose a finger pad of the little finger . Reposition is the
reverse movement that returns the thumb to anatomical position.

20. Terms of Laterality
 Bilateral: The structure or organs which occur on both side of the body
. E.g. Ears, lungs etc.
 Unilateral: Any structure or organ occurring only on one side of the
body. E.g. spleen , vermiform appendix.
 Ipsilateral: The structure occurring on the same side of the body as
another structure . E.g. the right hand and right foot are ipsilateral
 Contralateral: The structure occurring on the opposite side of the
body with reference to another structure. E.g. right foot contralateral
to left foot.