Why is it important to have a reference point such as the anatomical position?

Question

Many directional terms are provided for the body. The anatomical position is the starting point for most descriptions. Why is it important to have a reference point such as the anatomical position? Hint: think of how you would precisely describe the various movements of your arm.

Answer 1

The hint here actually tells you the answer. Depending on the position in which you are the muscles you use to control any particular movement will vary.

Let's take standing up straight and moving your right arm to the right. The muscles you will use to move your arm to the right with your palm forward are not exactly the same as those you would use to move your arm if your palm were facing backwards.

As a consequence if we did not have a precisely defined anatomical position we could not describe the muscles required for the movement of abduction (moving the arm outwards) because the muscles involved would depend on the position of the arm at the start.

By defining the anatomical position we define the starting points for all movements and the resting positions for all muscles, thus making it possible to describe the muscle movements or other other anatomical movements precisely and accurately.

Answer 2

Don't really know where you are going with this but I do know A reference point is very important in the health field--like vitals in a healthy person so when they are sick you may use them to compare. Very helpful.

Answer 3

Because without a reference point...you are lost.