Learning the language of anatomy is an important step in building a strong foundation.
Anatomy for Yogis on Quizlet helps you to study this list with flashcards, games and quizzes.
Anatomy for Yogis on Quizlet helps you to study this list with flashcards, games and quizzes.
THE STARTING POSITION
anatomical position - the starting point for all descriptive terminology: location/position/motion; it is the same as mountain/tadasana in yoga
LOCATION: COMPARATIVE TERMINOLOGY
anterior - toward the front (also ventral) posterior - toward the back (also dorsal)
medial - toward midline lateral - away from midline
proximal - near the attachment to the trunk distal - away from the attachment to the trunk
superior - above/toward the head inferior - below/toward the feet
superficial - toward the surface deep - away from the surface
supine - lying face up prone - lying face down
PLANES OF MOTION
frontal (coronal) plane - divides the body into front and back (anterior and posterior)
sagittal plane - divides the body into right and left
transverse plane - divides the body into top and bottom (superior and inferior)
MOVEMENT
flexion - decreasing the angle at a joint and/or moving in an anterior direction in the sagittal plane
extension - increasing the angle at a joint and/or moving in an posterior direction in the sagittal plane
abduction - movement away from midline in the frontal plane
adduction - movement toward midline in the frontal plane
internal/medial rotation - movement toward midline in the transverse plane
external/lateral rotation - movement away from midline in the transverse plane
lateral flexion (spine) - movement away from midline in the frontal plane
anterior pelvic tilt - the bowl of the pelvis tilts forward
posterior pelvic tilt - the bowl of the pelvis tilts backward
dorsiflexion - movement of the top of the foot toward the shin (foot flexed)
plantarflexion - movement of the top of the foot away from the shin (foot pointed)
inversion - sole of the foot toward midline
eversion - sole of the foot away from midline
supination (foot) - combination of inversion, adduction, and plantarflexion - raises the arch
pronation (foot) - combination of eversion, abduction, and dorsiflexion - lowers the arch
protraction (scapula) - movement away from the spine (anterior/lateral)
retraction (scapula) - movement toward the spine (posterior/medial)
upward rotation (scapula) - movement of the inferior angle away from midline
downward rotation (scapula) - movement of the inferior angle toward midline
elevation (scapula) - movement in a superior direction
depression (scapula) - movement in an inferior direction
supination (forearm) - palm up or palm forward (anatomical position); radius & ulnar are uncrossed
pronation (forearm) - palm down or palm backward; radius & ulna are crossed
horizontal adduction - anterior movement in the transverse plane (from 90 degrees of abduction)
horizontal abduction - posterior movement in the transverse plane (from 90 degrees of abduction)
PDF of the terminology
anatomical position - the starting point for all descriptive terminology: location/position/motion; it is the same as mountain/tadasana in yoga
LOCATION: COMPARATIVE TERMINOLOGY
anterior - toward the front (also ventral) posterior - toward the back (also dorsal)
medial - toward midline lateral - away from midline
proximal - near the attachment to the trunk distal - away from the attachment to the trunk
superior - above/toward the head inferior - below/toward the feet
superficial - toward the surface deep - away from the surface
supine - lying face up prone - lying face down
PLANES OF MOTION
frontal (coronal) plane - divides the body into front and back (anterior and posterior)
sagittal plane - divides the body into right and left
transverse plane - divides the body into top and bottom (superior and inferior)
MOVEMENT
flexion - decreasing the angle at a joint and/or moving in an anterior direction in the sagittal plane
extension - increasing the angle at a joint and/or moving in an posterior direction in the sagittal plane
abduction - movement away from midline in the frontal plane
adduction - movement toward midline in the frontal plane
internal/medial rotation - movement toward midline in the transverse plane
external/lateral rotation - movement away from midline in the transverse plane
lateral flexion (spine) - movement away from midline in the frontal plane
anterior pelvic tilt - the bowl of the pelvis tilts forward
posterior pelvic tilt - the bowl of the pelvis tilts backward
dorsiflexion - movement of the top of the foot toward the shin (foot flexed)
plantarflexion - movement of the top of the foot away from the shin (foot pointed)
inversion - sole of the foot toward midline
eversion - sole of the foot away from midline
supination (foot) - combination of inversion, adduction, and plantarflexion - raises the arch
pronation (foot) - combination of eversion, abduction, and dorsiflexion - lowers the arch
protraction (scapula) - movement away from the spine (anterior/lateral)
retraction (scapula) - movement toward the spine (posterior/medial)
upward rotation (scapula) - movement of the inferior angle away from midline
downward rotation (scapula) - movement of the inferior angle toward midline
elevation (scapula) - movement in a superior direction
depression (scapula) - movement in an inferior direction
supination (forearm) - palm up or palm forward (anatomical position); radius & ulnar are uncrossed
pronation (forearm) - palm down or palm backward; radius & ulna are crossed
horizontal adduction - anterior movement in the transverse plane (from 90 degrees of abduction)
horizontal abduction - posterior movement in the transverse plane (from 90 degrees of abduction)
PDF of the terminology