Anatomical Movement Encoding System

Brian Lee

Anatomical Movement Encoding System

This system provides a concise, unambiguous shorthand for labeling anatomical movements. It consists of three parts separated by hyphens:

JointCode–ActionCode–SideCode

No spaces, all uppercase. Example: GH–FLE–L (left shoulder flexion).

Joint Codes (JointCode)

A comprehensive list covering major articulations:

| Code | Joint / Region | |:-----:|:---------------------------------------------------------------------| | AC | Acromioclavicular | | ANK | Talocrural (ankle) | | CMC | Carpometacarpal (thumb base) | | CN | Cervical spine (neck) | | DIP | Distal interphalangeal (finger joints) | | DIPT | Distal interphalangeal (toe joints) | | EL | Elbow (humeroulnar + humeroradial) | | GH | Glenohumeral (shoulder) | | HIP | Acetabulofemoral (hip) | | IPF | Interphalangeal (finger or toe) | | KN | Tibiofemoral (knee) | | LN | Lumbar spine | | LS | Lumbosacral junction | | MCP | Metacarpophalangeal (knuckles) | | MTP | Metatarsophalangeal (toe knuckles) | | PIP | Proximal interphalangeal (finger joints) | | RU | Radioulnar (proximal & distal forearm pivots) | | SC | Sternoclavicular | | SCoc | Sacrococcygeal joint | | SI | Sacroiliac joint | | ST | Scapulothoracic (scapular gliding) | | SubT | Subtalar (below ankle) | | TMJ | Temporomandibular (jaw) | | TMT | Tarsometatarsal (midfoot) | | TN | Thoracic spine | | WR | Wrist (radiocarpal) | | … | Extendable: e.g., SIJ, T4–T5, L5–S1, CL (clavicle), RIB |

Action Codes (ActionCode)

Movements and positions with standardized abbreviations:

| Code | Movement / Position | |:-----:|:------------------------------------------------------| | ABD | Abduction (away from midline) | | ADD | Adduction (toward midline) | | CIR | Circumduction (circular motion) | | DEP | Depression (scapula down) | | DFL | Dorsiflexion (ankle, foot up) | | ELE | Elevation (scapula up) | | EVE | Eversion (sole away from midline) | | EXT | Extension (increasing angle) | | FLE | Flexion (decreasing angle) | | INV | Inversion (sole toward midline) | | LTR | Lateral / external rotation | | MTR | Medial / internal rotation | | PFL | Plantarflexion (ankle, foot down) | | PRO | Pronation (forearm, palm down) | | PROT | Protraction (scapula forward) | | RAD | Radial deviation (wrist toward thumb) | | RET | Retraction (scapula backward) | | SUP | Supination (forearm, palm up) | | ULN | Ulnar deviation (wrist toward little finger) | | … | Additional as needed (e.g., OPP = Opposition) |

Side Codes (SideCode)

Indicates which side(s) of the body:

| Code | Meaning | |:----:|:------------------| | L | Left | | R | Right | | B | Bilateral / Both |

Use B for truly simultaneous bilateral actions (e.g., ST–ELE–B). Otherwise choose L or R.

Building a Code

Select JointCode from the joint list.
Select ActionCode from the action list.
Select SideCode (L, R, or B).
Combine with hyphens: Joint–Action–Side.

Examples:

GH–FLE–L: Left shoulder flexion
EL–EXT–R: Right elbow extension
WR–RAD–L: Left wrist radial deviation
ANK–DFL–R: Right ankle dorsiflexion
ST–RET–B: Bilateral scapular retraction

Tips for Use

Keep this reference table accessible until familiar.
When adding new codes, follow existing abbreviation patterns.
Use in filenames, annotations, databases, or software tags.
Ensure consistency—avoid ad hoc abbreviations.

With these comprehensive lists, you cover all common anatomical movements and joints for artists, clinicians, and developers alike.

References

📓 Anatomical Planes