Terminology 101

Terminology 101 Dorsal surface-the upper area or top of the foot

Terminology 101 Plantar surface-bottom of the foot; weight bearing

Terminology 101 Medial—The inside edge of the foot; has the great toe and tibia.

Terminology 101 Lateral—outer edge of the foot; smallest toe and fibula side.

Terminology 101 Proximal/Distal—used to clarify a location point or the point of attachment. Proximal-closer to the trunk or body Distal-furthest from point of reference The knee is distal to the hip but proximal to the foot. Proximal Distal

Terminology 101 Anterior refers to the front of the body Posterior refers to the rear or back of the body. Posterior The chest is on the anterior portion of the body and the back is on the posterior portion of the body. Anterior Posterior Anterior

Terminology 101 Superior Superior refers to the positioning above or towards the head. Inferior refers to the positioning below. Usually used as a reference point for the location of a wound: The ulcer is inferior to the navicular. Inferior

Terminology 101 Anatomical positions 3 basic planes of motion Referred to as the Cardinal planes Divides the body, as well as the foot, with 3 imaginary lines Three Cardinal Planes of motion: Sagittal—splits vertically into left and right sections Frontal (coronal)—splits vertically into front and back sections Transverse—splits into top and bottom sections.

Sagittal Plane Splits the body into left half and right half. The motion that occurs can only be up and down and at the ankle. Dorsiflexion (upward) and plantar flexion (downward). Approximate “normal” dorsiflexion is 20°/plantarflexion 45° Dorsiflexion Plantar flexion

Frontal or Coronal Plane Divides the body or parts of the body into anterior and posterior. When referring to the foot and using the plantar surface as a reference point, the motion that occurs is inversion and eversion. Inversion is turning the plantar surface of the foot toward the body. Range of Motion is normally 20 degrees and only 4-6 degrees is needed for normal gait. Eversion is turning of the plantar surface away from the body. Range of Motion is normally 10 degrees and only 4-6 degrees is needed for normal gait.

Transverse Plane Divides the body into upper and lower. Rotation of the foot away from the midline (abduction) or towards the midline (adduction). Neutral Ad-duction Ab-duction

Varus Varus is the term for a deformity of bone or bones of the leg or foot. Varus of the foot is where part of the foot or the whole foot is inverted. Varus is a structural deformity while inversion is an anatomical position. Hallux Varus

Hallux abducto-valgus Valgus is the term for a deformity of a bone or bones of the leg or foot. Valgus of the foot is where part of the foot or the whole foot is everted. Valgus is a structural deformity while eversion is an anatomical position. Heel Valgus/Eversion Hallux abducto-valgus

Pronation/Supination Pronation is a tri-planar motion consisting of: Dorsiflexion in the Sagittal Plane Eversion in the Frontal Plane Abduction in the Transverse Plane Supination is a tri-planar motion consisting of: Plantar Flexion in the Sagittal Plane Inversion in the Frontal Plane Adduction in the Transverse Plane

Other Helpful Terms Unilateral—Affecting either the right side of the body or the left. Bilateral—Affecting both the right and left sides of the body. Ambulation—to walk or move about. Gait—walk

Arches 3 arches of a foot: 1). Medial Longitudinal 2.) Lateral Longitudinal 3.) Transverse Medial Longitudinal Lateral Longitudinal Transverse Arch

Medial Longitudinal Arch Three types of arches: 1. Pes Rectus—a foot with a normal arch

Medial Longitudinal Arch 2. Pes Planus—flatfoot; a condition in which the arch has not developed normally and is flat.

Medial Longitudinal Arch 3. Pes Cavus—a foot with a high arch which does not flatten with weightbearing; weight is generally distributed to the lateral side of the foot.

Ball/Instep/Waist Instep-portion of the foot, or shoe upper, over the midfoot Instep Waist-measurement located between the ball and instep Waist Ball Ball-width of the foot (or sole) near the metatarsal heads