Podstawy anatomii: płaszczyzny, kierunki i ruchy | Foundations of Anatomy: Planes, Directions, and Movements

Directional Terms: Navigating the Anatomy of Precision

As we have established in the previous lesson in the realm of anatomy and medicine, effective communication is non-negotiable. In a field where precision can quite literally be a matter of life or death, the use of standardized directional terms becomes an indispensable tool. These terms enable healthcare professionals to precisely describe the location and orientation of body structures, ensuring clarity and accuracy in diagnoses, treatment plans, and medical procedures.

Let’s dive into some common directional terms that form the very foundation of this anatomical language:

Directional TermDefinition
AnteriorThe front or the direction towards the front of the body. For example, the chest is on the anterior side of your body.
PosteriorThe back or the direction towards the back of the body. The spine is an example of a posterior structure.
SuperiorDesignates a position above or higher than another part of the body. For instance, the eyes are superior to the mouth.
InferiorMeans a position below or lower than another body part. Your feet, for example, are inferior to your head.
LateralPoints to the side, specifically the direction towards the side of the body. Your thumb is a lateral digit when compared to your other fingers.
MedialSignifies the middle or the direction towards the middle of the body. Your big toe, or hallux, is located on the medial side of your foot.
ProximalRefers to a position in a limb that is nearer to the point of attachment or closer to the trunk of the body. For instance, your upper arm is proximal to your forearm.
DistalDenotes a position in a limb that is farther from the point of attachment or more distant from the body’s trunk. Your lower leg, the crus, is distal to your thigh.
“OpenStax AnatPhys fig.1.13 – Directional Terms Applied to the Human Body – English labels” by OpenStax, license: CC BY. Source: book ‘Anatomy and Physiology’, https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology.

These directional terms are invaluable in describing the locations of body structures with precision. They eliminate ambiguity and ensure that healthcare professionals around the world speak the same anatomical language. For instance, a physician can accurately communicate the location of a patient’s pain, a surgeon can precisely plan an incision, and a radiologist can interpret the position of a tumor in a scan. Directional terms provide a universal framework that is essential for effective medical practice, making them an essential foundation of medical language.

Body Planes: Slicing Through the Anatomy of Structure

In the world of medicine and anatomy, understanding the body’s internal structure requires a navigational framework that goes beyond words. Enter the concept of body planes, which provide a set of imaginary sections or slices through the human body. These planes are indispensable in describing anatomical features, and they play a pivotal role in various medical imaging techniques.

Here, we’ll explore the three most common anatomical planes and how they’re vital in medical imaging and anatomical descriptions:

Most Common Anatomical Planes:

Body PlaneDescription
Sagittal PlaneA vertical plane that divides the body into left and right halves.
Frontal Plane (Coronal)A vertical plane that divides the body into anterior (front) and posterior (back) halves.
Transverse PlaneA horizontal plane that creates upper (superior) and lower (inferior) sections.

“OpenStax AnatPhys fig.1.14 – Planes of the Body – English labels” by OpenStax, license: CC BY. Source: book ‘Anatomy and Physiology’, https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology.

Understanding Anatomical Movements:

Anatomical movements involve bones or body parts moving around fixed joints relative to the main anatomical axes (sagittal, coronal, frontal, etc.) or planes parallel to them. The template for anatomical movements includes:

Key Anatomical Movements:

Now, let’s explore some key anatomical movements and their definitions:

MovementDefinition
FlexionBending or decreasing the angle between two body parts.
ExtensionStraightening or increasing the angle between body parts.
AbductionMoving away from the reference axis (e.g., away from the midline of the body).
AdductionBringing closer to the reference axis (e.g., towards the midline of the body).
ProtrusionMoving forward.
RetrusionMoving backward.
ElevationMoving superiorly to the reference axis (e.g., lifting a body part upwards).
DepressionMoving inferiorly to the reference axis (e.g., lowering a body part downwards).
Lateral RotationRotation away from the midline.
Medial RotationRotation toward the midline.
PronationMedial rotation of the radius, resulting in the palm of the hand facing posteriorly (if in anatomical position) or inferiorly (if the elbow is flexed).
SupinationLateral rotation of the radius, resulting in the palm of the hand facing anteriorly (if in anatomical position) or superiorly (if the elbow is flexed).
CircumductionA combination of flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction.
DeviationUlnar and radial abduction of the wrist.
OppositionBringing the thumb in contact with a finger.
RepositionSeparating the thumb from the digits.
InversionTurning the plantar side toward the medial plane.
EversionTurning the plantar side away from the medial plane.
“OpenStax AnatPhys fig.9.12 – Body Movements(Page 1) – English labels” by OpenStax, license: CC BY. Source: book ‘Anatomy and Physiology’, https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology.

“OpenStax AnatPhys fig.9.13 – Body Movements(Page 2) – English labels” by OpenStax, license: CC BY. Source: book ‘Anatomy and Physiology’, https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology.