Postures and Direction of Movement

Supine Someone in the supine position is lying on his or her back. Prone Someone in the prone position is lying face down.

Abduction Abduction is movement away from the midline, or to abduct. Adduction Adduction is movement toward the midline, or to add.

Flexion Flexion is to bend at a joint, or to reduce the angle. Extension Extension is to straighten at a joint, or to increase the angle, for example, from 90 degrees to 180 degrees.

Medial Rotation Medial rotation is to turn inward. Lateral Rotation Lateral rotation is to turn outward.

Supination Supination is to rotate the forearm so that the palm faces forward. Pronation Pronation is to rotate the forearm so that the palm faces backward.

Planes of Motion

1. Sagittal Plane The Sagittal plane passes through the body front to back, so dividing it into left and right. Movements in this plane are the up and down movements of flexion and extension. 2. Coronal Plane The coronal plane divides the body into front and back. Movements in this plane are sideways movements, called abduction and adduction. 3. Transverse Plane This plane divides the body into top and bottom. Movements in this plane are rotational in nature, such as medial and lateral rotation, pronation and supination.