Anatomical Positions, Terms and References

Anatomical Standing Position:

• 
• Legenda: Anatomical Standing Position
• All movements are related to this position.
• The body stands up straight
• Feet are parallel
• Arms hang at the sides
• Palms face forward

Anatomical Terms:

• 
• Legenda: Anterior and Posterior views of the body
• Anterior:
• Towards the front of the body
• E.g. The nose is on the anterior side of the head
• Posterior:
• Towards the back of the body
• E.g. The heel of the foot is located on the posterior of the body

Anatomical Terms:

• 
• Lateral:
• Away from the mid-line of the body
• E.g. The shoulders are lateral to the chest
• Medial:
• Close to the mid-line of the body
• E.g. The neck is medial to the shoulders
• Legenda: Lateral and Medial

Anatomical Terms:

• 
• Proximal:
• Closest to the main part of the body (Including shoulders and hip)
• E.g. The knee is proximal to the ankle
• Distal:
• Away from the main part of the body
• E.g. The wrist is distal to the elbow.
• Legenda: Proximal and Distal

Anatomical Terms:

• 
• Superior:
• Closer to the head
• E.g. The eyes are superior to the nose
• Inferior:
• Closer to the feet
• E.g. The ankle is inferior to the knee
• Legenda: Superior and Inferior

Anatomical Terms:

• 
• Peripheral/Superficial:
• Both mean close to the bodies' surface
• E.g. The finger nails are peripheral to the phalanges
• Deep:
• Further away from the bodies' surface
• E.g. The stomach is deep in relation to the abdominal muscles
• Legenda: Deep and Superficial

Anatomical Terms:

• 
• Supine:
• Laying on the back facing upwards
• Prone:
• Laying on the stomach facing downwards.
• Legenda: Supine and Prone

Extra Resources

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