Which of the following describes the anatomic position?

The anatomic position is a standardized way of observing and describing the human body that provides a clear reference point. In this position, an individual stands upright, facing forward towards the observer, with arms at the sides and the palms of the hands facing forward. Additionally, the feet are positioned parallel and flat on the ground, with the toes pointing straight ahead.

The correct description emphasizes the orientation of the body and the position of the limbs, which is crucial for clarity in medical and anatomical settings. This standardized position is used universally in the fields of medicine and health sciences to avoid confusion when describing locations or movements on the body.

Other descriptions do not align with the anatomic position: standing with palms turned inward lacks the key feature of palms facing forward, while sitting with legs crossed does not reflect the upright stance required for the anatomic position. Lying flat on the back is also not representative of the concept, as it describes a horizontal position instead of the vertical stance defined in the anatomic position.