Position Relationship Terminology Description

Superior Above, closer to the head

Inferior Below, closer to the feet

Medial Closer to the midline

Lateral Further away from the midline

Anterior Closer to the front of the body

Posterior Closer to the back of the body

Ventral Closer to the front or the belly of the body, a

term used more frequently in embryology and
zoology where ventral and anterior can differ

Dorsal Closer to the back of the body, a term used

more frequently in embryology and zoology
where dorsal and posterior can differ

Superficial Closer to the surface

Intermediate Between a superficial structure and a deep

structure

Deep Further away from the surface

Proximal Closer to the point of origin, or the centre of

body

Distal Further away from the point of origin or centre

of body

Rostral Closer to the front of the face, i.e. nose and

mouth, term used more frequently in
embryology

Cranial Closer to the head of the body, a term used

more frequently in embryology where
superior and cranial can differ

Caudal Closer to the tail end of the body, a term used

more frequently in embryology where inferior
and caudal can differ
Anatomical Plane Terminology Description

Coronal Plane (AKA Frontal) Equal or unequal section that divides the
body anteriorly and posteriorly

Sagittal Plane Unequal section that divides the body into left
and right parts

Medial Plane (AKA Mid-sagittal) Equal section that divides the body into left
and right halves

Transverse Plane (AKA Axial, Horizontal) Equal or unequal section that divides the
body superiorly and inferiorly

Oblique Plane Equal or unequal section that divides the

body at an angle not parallel to the horizontal
or vertical axes
Muscle Movement Terminology Description

Flexion Decreasing the angle of the joint

Extension Increasing the angle of the joint

Hyperextension Extension beyond the normal limit of

movement of a joint

Abduction Movement away from the midline

Adduction Movement towards the midline

Circumduction Combination of flexion, extension, abduction

and adduction

Medial Rotation Rotational movement towards the midline

Lateral Rotation Rotational movement away from the midline

Dorsiflexion Movement of the ankle joint resulting in the

toes pointing up

Plantar flexion Movement of the ankle joint resulting in toes

pointing down

Inversion Movement of the foot in which the bottom of

the foot is tilted to face the midline

Eversion Movement of the foot in which the bottom of

the foot is tilted to face away from the midline

Opposition Movement of the thumb bringing it and the

little finger together

Reposition Movement of the thumb away from the little

finger

Pronation Rotation of the forearm resulting in the palm

facing posteriorly in relation to anatomical
position. The radius bone crosses over the
ulna bone to perform this action.

Supination Rotation of the forearm resulting in the palm

facing anteriorly in relation to anatomical
position
Protraction Movement of a part of the body anteriorly,
drawing it forwards

Retraction Movement of a part of the body posteriorly,

drawing it backwards

Elevation Movement of a part of the body superiorly

Depression Movement of a part of the body inferiorly