Postures and Direction of Movement

Supine Someone in the supine position is lying on his or her back. Prone Someone in the prone position is lying face down.

Right Lateral Recumbent The Right lateral recumbent, or RLR, means that the patient is lying on their right side. Left Lateral Recumbent The left lateral recumbent, or LLR, means that the patient is lying on their left side.

Fowler's Position A person in the Fowler's position is sitting straight up or leaning slightly back. Their legs may either be straight or bent. Trendelenberg Position A person in the Trendelenberg position is lying supine with their head slightly lower than their feet.

Abduction Abduction is movement away from the midline, or to abduct. Adduction Adduction is movement toward the midline, or to add.

Flexion Flexion is to bend at a joint, or to reduce the angle. Extension Extension is to straighten at a joint, or to increase the angle, for example, from 90 degrees to 180 degrees.

Medial Rotation Medial rotation is to turn inward. Lateral Rotation Lateral rotation is to turn outward.

Supination Supination is to rotate the forearm so that the palm faces forward. Pronation Pronation is to rotate the forearm so that the palm faces backward.