ANATOMICAL TERMINOLOGY

To begin this chapter, we will first outline general, whole-body terms, and concepts. 

General Anatomy and Kinesiology Terms:

Anatomy and kinesiology are the studies of the human body and movement and terms in this field are vital in medical practice.

Anatomy is the study of the structure of the body. Physiology is the study of the functions of the body.

Plans of the body:

Sagittal planes are vertical planes that pass through the body from front to back. The median or midsagittal plane is the vertical plane that divides the body into right and left halves.

Horizontal (transverse) planes are parallel to the floor. They are perpendicular to both the sagittal and frontal planes.

Frontal (coronal) planes are vertical planes that pass through the body from side to side. They are perpendicular to the sagittal plane.

The Anatomical Positions:

Proximal means closer to the origin (starting point) of an extremity. In contrast, distal means farther out from "the start" of the arm, or leg, or finger/toe. These are common terms used by physicians in all settings. 

For example, the foot is distal to the knee, the shoulder is proximal to the elbow, and the wrist is distal to the elbow. This is a universally applicable concept and essential for you to understand. 

Another important concept is medial versus lateral. Medial means closer to the midline of the body and lateral means farther from the midline. 

Next is Superior vs Inferior.  Cephalad means toward the head or higher/above and Inferior is in the opposite direction or lower/under.

Anterior means toward the front of the body and Posterior is toward the back.

Adduction is the movement of an extremity toward the midline. Abduction is movement away from the midline. A good way to remember this is ADDuctoin is toward and ABDuction is away from midline.

Also, refer below image.

Summary of Key Anatomical Description.

Abduction             Bring away from the midline of the body
Adduction             Bring toward the midline of the body
Anterior                Front of the body
Caudad                 Towards to tail, or the opposite of cephalad
Cephalad              Closer to the head
Distal                    Away or further from the origin of an appendage
Dorsal                   Toward the back (including back of the hand or top of the feet)
Lateral                  Away from the midline of the body
Medial                  Toward the midline of the body
Posterior              Back of the body
Prone position    Lying face down
Proximal              Closer to the origin of an appendage 
Supine                  Lying on the back

Dorsal                 Back side of the hand
Palmar                Palm side
Volar                   Palm side


Dorsal                 Top of the foot

Plantar / Volar      Sole of the foot

Learn more: 

Levels of Organization