Anatomical Terminology

Superior Toward the head E.g. The cranium is superior to the patella

Inferior Toward the feet E.g. The carpals are inferior

to the humerus

Anterior Front E.g. the mandible is on the

anterior side of the head

Posterior Back E.g. the vertebrae is on

the posterior side of the trunk

Medial Toward the midline E.g. the large phalange

is on the medial side of the metatarsals

Lateral Toward the side E.g. the ears are on the

lateral aspect of the head

Proximal Nearer the body E.g. the shoulder is at the proximal end of

the humerus

Distal Further from the trunk E.g. the carpals are at the

distal end of the ulna

Flexion Bending movement that decreases the

angle between two parts

Extension Straightening movement that increases the

angle between body parts

Abduction Motion that pulls a structure or part away from

the midline of the body

Adduction Motion that pulls a structure or part toward the midline of the body, or towards the midline of a limb

Circumduction Combination of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction E.g. spinning the arm when bowling a cricket ball

Agonist Agonist muscles cause a movement to occur through

their own contraction

Antagonist Antagonist muscles oppose movement. This controls a

motion, slows it down and returns a limb to its initial position.

Agonist/antagonist pairs E.g. pectorals/latissimus dorsi; trapezius/deltoids

quadriceps/hamstrings ; biceps/triceps; forearm flexors/extensors

Activity

NB: Anterior is sometimes called Ventraland posterior is sometimes called Dorsal

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