Dance Anatomy & Kinesiology

18 Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology

the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS). Medial

refers to closer to the midline while lateral refers to

farther from the midline. For example, the rounded

bony projection of the inferior femur, located on

the inside of the knee, is termed the medial con-

dyle; the projection located on the outside of the

knee is termed the lateral condyle. Proximal means

closer to the root of the limb or trunk, while distal

means farther from the root of the limb or trunk.

For example, the joint between the radius and the

ulna that is located close to the elbow is termed the

proximal or superior radioulnar joint, while the

joint located close to the wrist is termed the distal

or inferior radioulnar joint. Superficial refers to

closer to the surface of the body, while deep refers

to farther from the surface of the body. For example,

the abdominal muscle called the rectus abdominis

is superficial relative to the deep abdominal muscle

called the transverse abdominis.

Some additional specialized terminology is used

for clarification in some parts of the body such as

the hands and feet. For example, during standing in

anatomical position, the posterior side of the hand is

referred to as the dorsal aspect or surface while the

anterior side is termed the palmar aspect. For the lower

extremity, during standing in anatomical position the

top side of the foot is termed the dorsal aspect while

the bottom aspect is termed the plantar aspect.

Anatomical Planes

The concept of planes is used to help describe basic

movements of the body and its segments. In this

context, a plane can be thought of as an imaginary

flat surface such as a sheet of cardboard that passes

through the body in a given direction. In anatomical

position there are three imaginary reference planes

that are perpendicular to each other and divide the

body in half by mass. These cardinal planes or prin-

cipal planes each pass through the center of mass of

the body. These cardinal planes correspond to the

three dimensions in space and are termed the sagit-

tal, frontal, and horizontal planes as illustrated in

figure 1.9. The cardinal sagittal plane is also termed

the median or midsagittal plane, and it is a vertical

plane that divides the body into equal right and left

portions. The cardinal frontal, or coronal, plane is a

vertical plane that runs perpendicular to the sagittal

TABLE 1.5 Anatomical Position and Directional Terminology

Term Definition

Positional terminology

Anatomical position Standing with feet and palms facing front

Supine Lying on the back

Prone Lying face downward

Directional terminology

Superior (cranial) Above/toward head

Inferior (caudal) Below/toward feet

Anterior (ventral) Front side/in front of

Posterior (dorsal) Back side/in back of

Medial Closer to the median plane/toward midline

Lateral Farther from the median plane/toward side

Proximal Closer to root of limb, trunk, or center of body

Distal Farther from root of limb, trunk, or center of body

Superficial Closer to or on the surface of body

Deep Farther from the surface of body

Palmar Anterior aspect of hand in anatomical position

Dorsal

(for hands/feet)

Posterior aspect of hand in anatomical position; top aspect of foot when standing in

anatomical position

Plantar Bottom aspect of foot when standing in anatomical position