1. Directional Terms and Joint Movements
Ms. Ryder Spring 2018

2. Horizontal vs. vertical
Make sure that you know the difference between horizontal and vertical!
Horizontal (side to side)
Vertical (up and down)
Hint: To help you remember, think about the sun rising and setting over the “horizon”

3. Anatomical directional terms
Anterior
The front, or in front of
Posterior
The back, or behind (towards the rear)

4. Planes Sagittal Divides the body into left and right Frontal
Divides the body into anterior and posterior
Transverse
Divides the body into top and bottom

5. Anatomical directional terms
Distal
Away from, furthest from the origin
Proximal
Near, closest to the origin

6. Anatomical directional terms
Superior
Above, over
Inferior
Below, under

7. Anatomical directional terms
Lateral
Away from the mid-line (center)
Towards the sides
Medial
Towards the mid-line (center)
Away from the sides

8. Synovial Joints
Synovial Joints (also known as Diarthroses) are freely movable joints
These joints allow 18 different movements

9. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Flexion
Movement that decreases the angle between 2 bones

10. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Extension
Movement that increases the angle between 2 bones

11. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Hyperextension
Movement beyond the natural range of motion

12. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Abduction
Movement of the limbs away from the middle of the body
(Describes movement of limbs only)

13. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Adduction
Movement of the limbs toward the middle of the body
(Describes movement of limbs only)

14. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Rotation
Movement of a bone on an axis, toward or away from the body

15. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Circumduction
Circular movement of limbs around an axis
The proximal portion of the limb remains stationary
Proximal = where the limb attaches to the body
The distal portion moves in a circle
Distal = the point on the limb that is furthest from the proximal attachment

16. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Supination
To turn upward
To face a limb or body towards the ceiling
Ex: Turn palm upward so that it faces the sky

17. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Pronation
To turn downward
To face a limb or body towards the ground
Ex: turn palms downward so that they face the floor

18. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Plantar Flexion
Movement that extends the foot
Ex: Pointing your toes like a ballerina

19. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Dorsiflexion
Movement that flexes the foot
Ex: Try to touch your toes to the front of your shin

20. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Inversion
Turns the sole of the foot inward (medially)

21. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Eversion
Turns the sole of the foot outward (laterally)

22. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Protraction
Moving a body part forward (in the transverse plane)
Ex: shoulders and jaw

23. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Retraction
Moving a body part backwards (in the transverse plane)
Ex: Neck or jaw

24. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Elevation
Lifting a body part upward (superiorly)
(Occurs in the frontal plane)
Ex: Shoulders

25. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Depression
Moving a body part downward (inferiorly)
(Occurs in the frontal plane)
Ex: Shoulders

26. Types of Synovial Joint Movements
Opposition
Moves the thumb to the tips of the other fingers
(That is why they are called “Opposable thumbs”)