Anatomical Terms of Position & Movement

1. Define anatomical terms of position and movement

• Anatomical terms of position describe the relative location or orientation of a structure in relation to the body or other structures: dorsal (upper), ventral (lower), medial (towards midline), lateral (away from midline), proximal (near attachment), distal (far from attachment), anterior (front), posterior (back), superior (above), inferior (below).
• Anatomical terms of movement describe the type of motion a joint allows: flexion (bending), extension (straightening), abduction (movement away from midline), adduction (movement towards midline), rotation (twisting), circumduction (flexion + extension + rotation).

2. Apply the anatomical terms

• A muscle originating from the thoracic spine and inserting into the femur is proximal and distal respectively.
• A joint allowing flexion and extension is a hinge joint.
• A movement combining flexion, extension, and rotation is circumduction.

3. Demonstrate the movements

Flexion

• Elbow joint bends the arm towards the body.
• Biceps brachii contracts.
• Elbow straight (0°) → Forearm bends (90°).

Extension

• Elbow joint straightens the arm.
• Triceps brachii contracts.
• Elbow bent (90°) → Forearm straightens (0°).

Abduction

• Shoulder moves arm away from body.
• Deltoid contracts.
• Arm at side (0°) → Moves away (90°).

Adduction

• Shoulder moves arm towards body.
• Latissimus dorsi contracts.
• Arm away (90°) → Moves to side (0°).

Rotation

• Shoulder rotates arm.
• Rotator cuff contracts.
• Arm at side (0°) → Rotates (360°).

Circumduction

• Combination of flexion, extension, and rotation.
• Deltoid + rotator cuff contract.
• Arm at side (0°) → Moves in circular motion (360°).

Flowchart / Movement of the Arm