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Terminology: The Foundation

11/24/2018

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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.
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 
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The Spine

11/24/2018

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There are 33 vertebrae.
  • 7 cervical
  • 12 thoracic
  • 5 lumbar
  • 5 sacral
  • 4 coccygeal

The spine has curves.
  • cervical curve concave to the back
  • thoracic curve convex to the back
  • lumbar curve concave to the back
  • sacral/coccygeal convex to the back

We begin life with one curve - rounded, convex to the back of the body. This curve is known as a primary curve, and the thoracic & sacral/coccygeal curves are primary curves.

As we develop, we learn to hold our head up and develop a secondary curve at the cervical spine, and later we develop a another secondary curve in the lumbar spine.

The vertebrae are numbered from top to bottom with the first letter of the section C1 to C7, T1-T12, L1-L5.

The first two cervical vertebrae have special names.
  • C1 is the atlas. (named after Atlas)
  • C2 is the axis. It has a pivot point for C1 to rotate.

Variation happens, and it's very normal.
Sometimes there are more or less vertebrae.

Each Vertebra, All Your Vertebrae
One vertebra (short a)
​Two or more vertebrae (long a)
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    Jen Wilking

    A student at heart, Jen is passionate about learning and sharing what she has learned to empower yoga students and teachers. Jen is a physical therapist, yoga therapist, and yoga teacher. She teaches at Kindness Yoga and practices physical therapy at Vernon Physical Therapy & Wellness.

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