Glossary of Terms

Glossary of Terms

Anatomical Terminology

Abduction: refer to the motion of a structure away from the midline

Adduction: refers to a motion that pulls a structure or part toward the midline of the body, or towards the midline of a limb

Dorsiflexion: motion at the ankle joint where the angle between the dorsal surface of the  foot and the tibia decrease

Plantarflexion: motion at the ankle joint where the angle  between the dorsal surface of the foot and the tibia increase

Extension: the opposite of flexion, describing a straightening movement that increases the angle between two bones.

Flexion:describes a bending movement that decreases the angle between two bones.

Rotation: the motion around the longitudinal axis, for example, internal or external rotation

Distal: away from a referenced point on the body

Proximal: closer  to a referenced point on the body

Pelvic Drop: the moment during the stance phase, the eccentric motion of the hip abductor muscles on the stance leg allow the pelvis to drop inferior on the opposite side

Planes of Motion and Axes

Frontal/Coronal plane (Anteroposterior Axis):Divides the body into anterior and posterior parts

Sagittal/Median plane (Mediolateral axis): dividing the body into right and left parts

Transverse plane (Longitudinal axis): divides the body into superior and inferior parts.