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.


lithotomy position n.
A supine position in which the hips and knees are fully flexed with the legs spread apart and raised and the feet resting in straps. Also calleddorsosacral position.