Tom is performing spinal flexion.

CHAPTER 6

ANATOMICAL TERMS

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PLANES OF MOTION Human movement is described in three dimensions based on a system of planes and axis. Three imaginary planes are positioned through the body at right angles so they intersect at the center of mass of the body. In anatomical position the Center of Gravity (COG) for humans is at the sacral promontory, anterior to S2 (PSIS). Anatomical Planes Sagittal Plane (also known as Median) is also called an anteroposterior plane, is an imaginary plane running anterior (front) to posterior (back) and superior (top) to inferior (bottom) and splits the body into left and right halves. Frontal Plane (also known as Coronal or Lateral plane) runs side to side and superior to inferior, splitting the body into front and back halves. Horizontal Plane (also known as Transverse or Horizontal plane) runs from side to side and anterior to posterior, splitting the body into top and bottom halves. All sagittal planes are perpendicular to all frontal planes, which are perpendicular to all transverse planes. These planes are just reference points. They are means of communicating or describing motion. Most of these motions we perform in life are outside of these planes or are a combination of these planes. Remember, these planes apply to the body itself. Many texts differ when defining human movement. Most words used to define motions are based on the direction of a moving limb. However, this can be confusing. Using limb motion creates poor communication. Consider the definition of abduction above 90 degrees of shoulder motion. The definition is no longer valid. It is important that some standardization occur in our industry so we can communicate as fitness professionals. Instead of using limb motion as a guide to describing motion they use the motion within the joint. A joint position is a static position of where the joint is in relation to the body. This position is not always related to the motion performed to achieve that position. Names of motion are based on the direction of motion relative to anatomical neutral within a specific plane. Anatomical Position In this position, the body is an erect stance, facing forward, arms at the side of the trunk with palms facing forward and legs together with the feet pointing forward. All joints are in anatomical neutral with the exception of full supination at the radio-ulnar joint. (see diagram above)
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Anatomical Terms These movements are relative to the body, not to the position of the body in space. Anterior or Ventral: refers to the front of the body. Posterior or Dorsal: refers to the back of the body. Superior: is the position above. Inferior: is the position below. Medial: towards the midline of the body. Lateral: away from the midline of the body. Proximal: nearest to the trunk. Distal: away from the center of the body. Superficial: near the surface. Deep: under the surface. Cephalic: pertaining towards the head. Caudal: pertaining to the tail end. Unilateral, Ipsilateral or Isolateral: refers to one side. Bilateral: refers to both sides.
Proximal Distal Medial Lateral Superior Mid-sagittal plane

Inferior

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Flexion is a joint action that occurs around the transverse axes through these joints and causes limb movements in sagittal planes or if past neutral in a position of extension, is moving back to neutral. A bending movement where the relative angle between the two adjacent segment decreases wont work, because in shoulder flexion the angle increases. Keep in mind; flexion refers to the joint and not the world. If you were to abduct the shoulder to 90 and bend your elbow, it still would be regarded as flexion of the elbow as opposed to adduction. Extension is the joint action that occurs around the transverse axes through these joints when the joint motion is moving from a position of flexion back to, or past anatomical neutral in the sagittal plane. Hyperextension is motion or a position extending beyond anatomical neutral or zero degrees. Hyper in this context does not mean excessive, greater than normal or too much. Resistance University describes this motion as extension beyond neutral/zero (1) Lateral Flexion occurs in the frontal plane. Lateral flexion of the trunk or the neck occurs when you lean the trunk or the head to the left. Likewise, lateral flexion of the trunk or the neck occurs when you lean the trunk of the head to the right.
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Abduction is the joint action that may occur around either the anterior-posterior axes and transverse axes and causes joint movement away from anatomical position in the frontal plane or in the transverse plane, when joint motion is moving from a position of adduction to, or past neutral. Adduction is the joint action that may occur around either the anterior-posterior axes or transverse axes and causes joint movement returning from a position of abduction to neutral or anatomical position, or crossing the midline of the body in the frontal plane or the transverse plane. Protaction or scapula abduction is abduction of the scapulae. Retraction or scapula adduction is the adduction of the scapulae.
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Circumduction an imaginary 0. Actually a combination of four movements: flexion, adduction, extension and abduction. Supination is the joint action that occurs around the longitudinal axes of the forearm as a result of external rotation of the radio ulnar joint. The palms will face forward in anatomical position. Pronation is the joint action that occurs around the longitudinal axes of the forearm as a result of internal rotation of the radio ulnar joint. The palms will face backwards in anatomical position. Inversion is in the frontal plane and occurs when twisting the foot so the medial side of the sole of the foot is lifted inwards. A combination of supination and adduction. Eversion - is in the frontal plane and occurs when twisting the foot so the lateral side of the sole of the foot is lifted outwards. A combination of pronation and abduction.
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External or Lateral when the contact surfaces of the bone rotate around a longitudinal axis so the anterior surface moves away from the midline of the body.

Internal or Medial when the contact surfaces of the bone rotate around a longitudinal axis so the anterior surface of the bone moves towards the midline of the body. However, once the shoulder passes 45 of abduction, the direction of the joint contact surfaces become more downward rotation than internal or medial rotation.

Rotations:

These positions may become confusing if one mistakenly focuses of the distal limb. Internal rotation of the hip at 90 of flexion is a good example. Although the foot is moving away from the midline, the contact surfaces of the hip joint are moving towards the midline.
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1.Purvise, Tom. Resistance Training Specialist Manual, 2007. pg 8-5

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