Humanics Ergonomics

Ergonomics Glossary

Ergonomics glossary of postures
Abduction	Movement away from the midline of the body.
Adduction	Movement toward the midline.
Circumduction	A continuous circular movement of a limb.
Deviation of the wrist	Placing the wrist side-ways towards the little finger (ulnar deviation) or towards the thumb (radial deviation).
Dorsal	In the direction of the back of the hand.
Extension	The act of straightening a joint; movement that brings the members of a limb into or toward a straight position.
Hyperextension	Extreme or extensive extension of a joint beyond the straight position (more than 180°).
Extension of the elbow	Opening the angle between the forearm and upper arm, as if straightening the arm.
Extension of the neck	Bending the neck so that the head moves back, as if looking up.
Extension of the shoulder	Placing the upper arm at shoulder back, e.g., to reach back.
Extension of the wrist	Bending the wrist towards the back of the hand (dorsal direction).
Flexion	The process of bending a limb or decreasing the angle between parts of the body.
Hyperflexion	Extreme or extensive flexion of a joint beyond the normal bent position.
Flexion of shoulder	Placing the upper arm (at the shoulder) forward, reaching in front.
Flexion of the elbow	Closing the forearm and upper arm angle, bending the arm.
Flexion of the neck	Bending the head forward, as if looking down.
Flexion of the wrist	Bending the wrist towards the palms (palmar direction).
Lateral rotation	Turning away from the midline of the body.
Medial plane	Divides the body into left and right halves (also called mid-saggitalplane).
Medial rotation	Turning toward the midline of the body.
Palmar	In the direction of the palm of the hand.
Postural muscles	Core muscles that support upright postures.
Pronation	The downward turning of the palm. Twisting the hand and forearm in the direction of the thumb. The rotation of the forearm to position the palm downward.
Saggital plane (aka anterior / posterior plane)	An imaginary line that divides the body into right and left halves. Sagittal plane exercises lie on the frontal axis.
Seat reference point (SRP)	A point in the mid-sagittal plane where the seat back and seat pan intersect.
Shoulder abduction	Placing the upper arm (at the shoulder) to the side and away from the body, as if reaching to one side.
Supination:	The upward turning of the palm, or lying face up.
Supination of hand & forearm	The rotation of the forearm to turn the palm upward. Twisting the hand and forearm in the direction of the little finger (generally, turning the forearm so the thumb is higher).
Ulnar deviation	Hand shifts towards the little finger side of the wrist.

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