Foundations of Human Movement Overview
Anatomical Terms
Medial: refers to a position close to the midline of the body or object or a movement that that moves toward
the midline.
Lateral: refers to a position relatively far from the midline or a movement that that moves away from the
midline.
Proximal: closer to the reference point.
Distal: farther from the reference point.
Superior: above a particular reference point or closer to the head
Inferior: below a particular reference or farther from the head
Anterior / Ventral: front
Posterior / Dorsal: back
Ipsilateral: same side
Contralateral: opposite side
Movement Description
Flexion: bending movement in which the relative angle between two adjacent segments decreases.
Hyperflexion: motion goes beyond normal range of flexion.
Extension: straightening movement in which the relative angle between two adjacent segments increases as
the joint returns to the zero or reference position.
Hyperextension: motion continues past the original zero position.
Abduction (hyper): movement away from the midline of a body or segment.
Adduction (hyper): return movement of the segment back toward the midline of the body or segment.
Medial / Internal Rotation: (when in the fundamental starting position) movement of a segment about a
vertical axis running through the segment so that the anterior surface of the segment moves toward the
midline of the body while the posterior surface moves away from the midline.
Lateral / External Rotation: the opposite movement in which the anterior surface of the segment moves
away from the midline of the body while the posterior surface moves toward the midline.
Left and Right Rotation (only for head and trunk): movement such that the anterior surface faces left / right.
Head or Trunk
Right / Left Lateral Flexion: Trunk or head tilts sideways.
Shoulder Girdle
Elevation: Raising of the scapula (shoulder shrug).
Depression: Lowering of the scapula.
Protraction: Scapula move apart (rounding of shoulders).
Retraction: Scapula move together (shoulders back).
Upward Rotation: Scapula swings such that bottom moves out.
Downward Rotation: Scapula swings back down to resting position.
Arm and Thigh
Horizontal Adduction: Combination of flexion and adduction.
Horizontal Abduction: Combination of extension and abduction.
Forearm
Supination: Movement of forearm such that palm faces forward.
Pronation: Movement of forearm such that palm faces backward.
Wrist
Radial Flexion: Movement of hand towards the thumb.
Ulnar Flexion: Movement of hand towards the little finger.
Foot
Plantarflexion: Bottom of foot moves down, angle between anterior surfaces of foot and leg increases.
Dorsiflexion: Top of foot moves up, angle between anterior surfaces of foot and leg decreases
Inversion: Motion such that sole of foot faces the other foot.
Eversion: Motion such that sole of foot faces away from the other foot.
Circumduction: Segment traces a cone as the end of the segment moves in a circular path (Joint DOF => 2).
Movement Review
Planes and Axes