Terminology

TERMINOLOGY DEFINITIONS

CERVICAL – referring to the neck region (C-1 through C-7).

THORACIC – referring to the middle of the back region (T -1 through T-12).

LUMBAR – referring to the low back region (L-1 through L-5).

SUPINE – lying face up (on your back).

PRONE – lying face down (on your stomach).

LATERAL – on the side. Farther from the middle of the body.

MEDIAL – closer to the middle of the body.

ANTERIOR – pertaining to the position of a structure nearer the front part of the body.

POSTERIOR – pertaining to the position of the structure nearer the back part of the body.

SUPERIOR – situated above or directed upward in relation to a specific reference point.

INFERIOR – situated below or directed downward in relation to a specific reference point.

SUPERFICIAL – situated nearer the surface of the body in relation to specific reference point.

PROFUNDUS – opposite of superficial.

PROXIMAL – nearest the trunk or the point of origin, said of limb, artery, or nerve, etc.

DISTAL – situated away from the center of the body, or point of origin; applied to the extremity or distant part of a limb.

SUPRA – is a prefix denoting a position above the part indicated by the word to which is joined. Example suprapatellar is above the patella (knee cap).

INFRA – is a prefix denoting a position below the part indicated by the word to which it is joined. Example infraclavicular is below the clavicle (collar bone).

RETRO – is a prefix denoting a position behind the part indicated by the word to which it is joined. Example retropatella is behind the patella (knee cap).

FLEXION – the act of bending a joint to approximate the parts it connects.

EXTENSION – the act of straightening out a joint; to diminish the angle formed by flexion.

ABDUCTION – moving away from the center of the body. (To abduct is to take away.)

ADDUCTION – moving towards the center of the body. (Add to the body.)

INVERSION – turning inward.

EVERSION – turning outward.

DORSIFLEXION – an action which pulls the top of the foot upwards.

PLANTARFLEXION – an action which points the foot downwards.

PRONATION – of the foot is eversion and abduction of the foot (lower of the medial edge). Of the forearm is the rotation in a way the palm of the hand faces backwards or down.

SUPINATION – of the foot is inversion and adduction of the foot (lowering the lateral edge). Of the forearm is rotation in a way the palm of the hand faces up or forward.

LIGAMENT – tissue that connects bone to bone. Example the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (one of the bones in the lower leg).

TENDON – tissue that connects muscle to bone. Example the bicep tendon connects the biceps to the scapula (shoulder blade).

ATROPHY – wasting away of tissue due to injury or disease.

EDEMA – an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the body resulting in swelling.

EFFUSION – escape of fluid into the tissue or a cavity.

CREPITUS – noise or vibration produced by rubbing bone or irregular surfaces together. Example the movement of the patella (knee cap) against the femoral condyles in arthritis or chondromalacia.