Terms relating to the hand and foot

The hands and feet have a number of terms that are specific to each.

When learning these motions, exercise them on your own body to help you remember.

Dorsal and palmar

Below are images of the dorsal and palmar (showing the palm) surfaces of the hand and forearm. They are also dorsal and palmar views, or aspects, of the hands and forearms. (Mnemonic: a shark's dorsal fin is on its "back.")

The term "palmar" is interchangeable with "volar." Dorsal x-ray of 10 yr old displaying polydactyly.

Dorsal and plantar

Below are images of the dorsal and plantar surfaces of the foot. They are also dorsal and plantar views, or aspects, of the foot. The plantar surface is commonly referred to as the sole.

Plantar warts and plantar fasciitis are common ailments. R-Ray of foot showing shrapnel.

Dorsiflexion and plantarflexion

Dorsiflexion is the bending of the foot upward, decreasing the angle of the dorsal aspect of the foot to the leg.

Plantarflexion is the opposite. It extends the foot using the calf muscles.

These actions are important in the walk and run cycle.

Eversion and inversion

Eversion is the movement of the sole of the foot away from the center line of the body. Inversion is the opposite, the movement of the sole of the foot toward the center line. Forced inversion is a common cause of ankle sprains.

Supination and pronation

Supination is the natural (without force applied) lateral displacement of the ankles beyond normal. Shoes will wear on the outside edge, and runners may develop iliotibial band syndrome. A varus knee condition may also contribute to supination.

In pronation, the ankles are displaced medially to normal. Shoes will wear on the inside edge. Pronation can also lead to ankle, knee, and other joint pain. A valgus knee condition may also contribute to pronation.

Recap

The hand and foot have two major surfaces. The "back" of the hand and foot are both described as the dorsal surface. Simply enough, the palm of the hand is the palmar (or volar) surface, and the sole of the foot is called the plantar surface.

Dorsiflexion is the bending of the foot upward; remember "flexion."
Plantarflexion is the opposite, moving the plantar surface downward, away from the body.

Inversion moves the soles of the foot closer together, and eversion moves the feet outward.

When a person puts more pressure on the lateral edge of the foot, that is supination. Pronation puts more pressure on the medial edge of the foot.

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