Directional terms make communicating about structures and characteristics of the body easier and more clear. These terms often come in pairs. Here are some of the main ones to know for the MBLEx:

Anterior: in front of; toward the front
Posterior: toward the rear or back

Superior: above or over (used for trunk, head & pelvis)
Inferior: below or under (used for trunk, head & pelvis)

Proximal: closer to the origin; nearby
Distal: farther from the origin; away from

Superficial: toward or closer to the surface
Deep: below or farther from the surface

Lateral: away from the midline; toward the side
Medial: toward or closer to the midline of the body

Dorsal: toward the back
Ventral: toward the anterior torso or belly

Bilateral: on or involving both sides of the body
Unilateral: on or involving one side of the body

Ipsilateral: on the same side of the body
Contralateral: on the opposite side of the body

Radial: lateral or thumb side of the forearm or hand
Ulnar: medial side of the forearm or hand

There are many other directional terms, including combinations, like anteromedial and posterolateral.

Types of Movement

This is a overview of the main types of movement. These are also sometimes referred to as anatomical terms of movement, or directions of movement. These terms are usually in discussed pairs. We’ll get into more specific examples of these in future lessons when discussing specific joints, movement and ROM.

Flexion / Extension
Elevation / Depression
Medial/Lateral Rotation
Right/Left Lateral Flexion
Abduction / Adduction
Horizontal Abduction / Adduction
Dorsiflexion / Plantarflexion
Anteversion / Retroversion
Protraction / Retraction
Pronation / Supination
Opposition / Reposition
Inversion / Eversion

Others: deviation, tilt, hyperextension, circumduction

Axial skeleton

Composed of the skull, vertebral column and thoracic cage (ribs & sternum). 80 bones total.

Appendicular skeleton

Composed of the bones of the upper and lower extremities, and the shoulder and pelvic girdles. 126 bones total.

Upper extremity

Each upper extremity extends from the clavicle to the fingers (shoulder girdle + upper limb).

Lower extremity

Each lower extremity extends from the pelvic girdle to the toes.

Medial means towards the midline, and lateral means away from the midline of the body.

The scapula can retract, elevate and rotate downward (these are the actions of the rhomboid muscles too). Other motions that can occur at the scapula (due to the action of other muscles) are depression, protraction, and upward rotation.

Contralateral refers to the opposite side of the body and ipsilateral refers to the same side of the body. Used in a sentence: “Massage and other stimulation on the limb contralateral to the amputated limb may provide relief from phantom limb pain.” Another example, “The referred pain pattern for a trigger point is normally on the ipsilateral side, and it is abnormal for referred pain to be felt on the contralateral side.”

The elbow is proximal to the wrist. This means that it is closer to the point of origin of the upper extremity.

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