Anatomical Terms, Planes & Movements (Easy Notes)

Subject: Anatomy & Physiology

Level: 1st Year B.Sc. Nursing

Topic: Anatomical Terms Relative to Position, Planes & Movements

📌 1. Standard Anatomical Position

All anatomical terms are described based on standard anatomical position:

Person stands:

• Body straight

• Face forward

• Arms at side

• Palms facing forward

• Feet together

📍 This position is reference point for all directions.

📌 2. Anatomical Terms Related to Position (Directional Terms)

These terms describe where body part is located.

🔹 Main Directional Terms

Term	Meaning (Simple)	Example
Anterior (Ventral)	Front side	Chest is anterior to heart
Posterior (Dorsal)	Back side	Spine is posterior to chest
Superior	Towards head / above	Head superior to neck
Inferior	Towards feet / below	Stomach inferior to lungs
Medial	Towards midline	Heart medial to lungs
Lateral	Away from midline	Ears lateral to nose
Median	Exactly at midline	Nose at median line
Proximal	Near origin	Shoulder proximal to elbow
Distal	Away from origin	Fingers distal to wrist
Superficial	Near surface	Skin superficial
Deep	Inside body	Bones deep

🔹 Body Position Terms

Term	Meaning	Example
Prone	Lying on abdomen (face down)	Back examination
Supine	Lying on back (face up)	Physical exam
Palmar	Palm of hand	Palmar surface
Plantar	Sole of foot	Plantar reflex

🧠 Easy Mnemonics (Memory Tricks)

Anterior = FrontPosterior = Back

Superior = UpInferior = Down

Proximal = NearDistal = Distant

Supine = Sky (face upward)

Palmar = PalmPlantar = Foot

📌 3. Anatomical Planes (Imaginary Dividing Lines)

Planes divide body into sections.

Plane	Division	Easy Meaning
Sagittal plane	Left & Right	divides body into left and right
Coronal (Frontal) plane	Front & Back	divides body into front and back
Transverse (Horizontal/Axial)	Upper & Lower	divides body into top and bottom
Oblique plane	Diagonal	cut at angle

🧠 Mnemonic for Planes

S C T O

S → SagittalC → CoronalT → TransverseO → Oblique

Memory sentence:Smart Class Teacher Observes

📌 4. Body Movements (Movement at Joints)

Movement occurs due to muscle action.

🔹 Common Movements

Movement	Meaning	Example
Flexion	Bending	bending elbow
Extension	Straightening	straight elbow
Abduction	Away from midline	raising arm sideways
Adduction	Towards midline	bringing arm back
Medial rotation	Turn inward	turning arm inside
Lateral rotation	Turn outward	turning arm outside
Inversion	Sole inward	foot inward
Eversion	Sole outward	foot outward
Supination	Palm up	holding soup bowl
Pronation	Palm down	typing position

🧠 Easy Mnemonics for Movements

Flexion = Fold

Extension = Extend straight

Abduction = Away

Adduction = Add

Supination = Soup bowl position

Inversion = In

Eversion = Out

📊 Quick Revision Table

Topic	Key Idea
Anterior	Front
Posterior	Back
Superior	Up
Inferior	Down
Proximal	Near
Distal	Far
Sagittal plane	Left-Right
Coronal plane	Front-Back
Transverse plane	Upper-Lower
Flexion	Bend
Extension	Straight
Abduction	Away
Adduction	Towards

👩‍⚕️ Importance in Nursing

These terms help nurse to:

• Understand patient condition

• Identify location of pain

• Follow doctor instructions

• Perform procedures correctly

• Write accurate reports

Example:Pain in lower abdomen→ nurse understands exact location

📝 Practice Questions

1. Define anterior and posterior

2. What is sagittal plane?

3. Difference between abduction and adduction

4. Define proximal and distal

5. What is supine position?

6. Name 3 body planes