Toward the front of the body (e.g., the sternum is anterior to the spine).

Toward the back of the body (e.g., the spine is posterior to the sternum).

Toward the side of the body (e.g., the arms are lateral to the chest).

Toward the lower part of the body (e.g., the knees are inferior to the hips).

Lowering a body part (e.g., dropping the shoulders).

Raising a body part (e.g., lifting the arms).

Rotating a body part (e.g., turning the head).

Extending a body part (e.g., straightening the legs).

Towards the midline (e.g., the arms are medial to the chest).

Away from the midline (e.g., the arms are lateral to the chest).

At the same level as the midline (e.g., the arms are parallel to the chest).

Closer to the center of the body (e.g., the arms are proximal to the chest).

Moving a body part backward (e.g., retracting the jaw backward).

Moving a body part upward (e.g., raising the shoulders).

Moving a body part forward (e.g., jutting the jaw forward).

Moving a body part downward (e.g., lowering the arms).

Affecting one side (e.g., unilateral paralysis affects one limb).

Affecting both sides equally.

A condition that is temporary and reversible.

Affecting the central nervous system only.

Away from the surface (e.g., the bones are deep to the muscles).

Close to the surface (e.g., the skin is superficial to the muscles).

In a horizontal position (e.g., lying down).

At a distance from the center (e.g., the limbs are distal to the torso).

Toward the midline of the body (e.g., the nose is medial to the ears).

Away from the midline of the body (e.g., the ears are lateral to the nose).

Towards the front of the body (e.g., the chest is anterior to the back).

Towards the back of the body (e.g., the spine is posterior to the stomach).

On the same side of the body (e.g., a stroke on the right brain affects the right arm).

On the opposite side of the body (e.g., a stroke on the right brain affects the left arm).

In the center of the body (e.g., a stroke affects both arms equally).

On the front side of the body (e.g., a stroke affects the face).

Circular movement (e.g., moving the arm in a circle).

Linear movement in a straight line.

Rotational movement around a fixed axis.

Movement that involves bending and straightening.

Closer to the point of attachment (e.g., the fingers are proximal to the elbow).

Farther from the point of attachment (e.g., the fingers are distal to the elbow).

At the same level as the point of attachment (e.g., the fingers are lateral to the elbow).

Directly attached to the point of attachment (e.g., the fingers are medial to the elbow).

Toward the head, upper part (e.g., the head is superior to the chest).

Toward the feet, lower part (e.g., the feet are superior to the head).

Away from the midline of the body (e.g., the arms are lateral to the chest).

Closer to the surface of the body (e.g., the skin is superficial to the muscles).

Moving towards the midline (e.g., lowering the arms sideways).

Moving away from the midline (e.g., lifting the arms sideways).

Rotating around the midline (e.g., twisting the torso).

Flexing the limbs (e.g., bending the elbows).

Lying face up (e.g., the patient was placed in a supine position).

Lying face down (e.g., the patient was placed in a prone position).

Sitting upright (e.g., the patient was placed in a vertical position).

Lying on the side (e.g., the patient was placed in a lateral position).

On the opposite side of the body (e.g., the left lung and right kidney are contralateral).

On the same side of the body (e.g., the right lung and right kidney are ipsilateral).

Referring to a structure located in the midline of the body.

Referring to a structure that is above another structure.

Farther from the point of attachment (e.g., the wrist is distal to the elbow).

Closer to the point of attachment (e.g., the elbow is proximal to the wrist).

At the same level as the point of attachment (e.g., the shoulder is lateral to the elbow).

Opposite to the point of attachment (e.g., the knee is distal to the hip).

Decreasing the angle of a joint (e.g., bending the elbow).

Increasing the angle of a joint (e.g., straightening the elbow).

Rotating a joint around its axis.

Moving a limb away from the midline of the body.

Moving away from the midline (e.g., spreading the legs apart).

Moving toward the midline (e.g., bringing the legs together).

Rotating the limb around its axis.

Flexing the limb at the joint.

Turning a bone around its axis (e.g., turning the head side to side).

Moving a bone away from the midline of the body.

Bending a joint to decrease the angle between two bones.

Straightening a joint to increase the angle between two bones.

Lying face up (e.g., the patient was placed in a supine position).

Lying face down (e.g., the patient was placed in a prone position).

Sitting upright (e.g., the patient was placed in a seated position).

Lying on one side (e.g., the patient was placed in a lateral position).