1. Body Planes Directional Terms & Joint Motions
Human Anatomy
Body Planes Directional Terms & Joint Motions

2. From the Beginning
Midline: An imaginary line that divides the body into symmetrical left & right halves
Anatomical Position: the human body standing erect, looking forward, arms at side with palms turned forward. Used as the position of reference in designating the site or direction of structures of the body.

3. Body Planes
Dividing the body into halves

4. A vertical plane that divides the body into right & left halves.
Sagittal Plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into right & left halves.
The midsagittal plane divides the body into equal, symmetrical halves.

5. Transverse Plane
A horizontal plane that divides the body into superior & inferior halves

6. Coronal Plane
A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior & posterior halves. The coronal plane is also know as the frontal plane.

7. Body Planes

8. Name The Plane

9. Directional Terms
Used to describe the locations of structures in relation to other structures or locations in the body.

11. Anterior & Posterior
Anterior: In front of, nearer to the front of the body
Posterior: Behind, toward the rear of the body

12. Distal & Proximal Distal Proximal
Away from the point of attachment, farther from the origin
Near the point of attachment, closer to the origin

13. Superior & Inferior Superior:
Above, over, situated more towards the head & away from the feet
Inferior: Below, under, situated below & closer to the feet

14. Lateral & Medial Lateral: Toward the side, away from the midline
Toward the midline, away from the side, middle

15. Superficial & Deep
Superficial: Toward or on the surface of a structure; outward
Deep: Away from the surface, further into the body; inward

16. Palmar (Volar) Plantar
Relating to or involving the palm of the hand
Relating to or involving the sole of the foot

17. Dorsal
In humans: Near the upper surface or toward the back

18. Ventral Of or relating to the belly, abdominal.
Located on, or toward the front part of the human body

19. Prone Supine Lying on the stomach, face down
Lying on the back, face up

20. Which Side?
Ipsilateral: on the same side of the body as another structure
Contralateral: on the opposite side of the body from another structure
Bilateral: pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides
Unilateral: relating to, or affecting one side

21. Joint Motions
How a joint moves

22. Flexion & Extension
Flexion: Bending the joint resulting in a decrease of angle
Extension: movement of a limb to increase the angle of the joint

23. ABDuction: ADDuction: ABDuction & ADDuction
A motion that pulls a structure or part 
away from the midline of the body 
ADDuction:
A motion that pulls a structure or part toward the midline of the body

24. Internal Rotation & External Rotation
Internal Rotation: flexed inwards towards the midline
External Rotation: flexed outwards away from the midline

25. What motion do you see?

26. Horizontal ADDuction & ABDuction

27. Pronation and Supination
forearm = palm facing down
foot = a combination of abduction, eversion, & dorsiflexion.
Supination:
forearm =palm facing up
foot = a combination of adduction, inversion, & plantarflexion

28. Sight Words
Tubercle
Foramen
Fossa
Articular Surface