Fundamental Movement Definitions

Flexion

Movement in the sagittal plane, away from the anatomical position.

Extension

Movement in the sagittal plane, back to the anatomical position.

Abduction

Movement in the frontal plane away from the anatomical position.

Adduction

Movement in the frontal plane back to the anatomical position.

Horizontal abduction

Movement away from midline in the transverse plane.

Horizontal adduction

Movement towards midline in the transverse plane.

Lateral flexion

Movement from midline in the frontal plane (occurs in neck and trunk).

Internal rotation

Reference point turns in, towards midline.

External rotation

Reference point turns out, away from midline.

Circumduction

A combination of the basic four movements: flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Pronation

Forearm movement, hand down.

Supination

Forearm movement, hand up.

Foot pronation

Triplanar movement combining eversion, horizontal abduction, and dorsi flexion (open chain).

Foot supination

Triplanar movement combining inversion, horizontal adduction, and plantar flexion (open chain).

Inversion

Foot movement, reference line is turned in towards midline (frontal plane).

Eversion

Foot movement, reference line is turned out away from midline (frontal plane).

Ulnar deviation

Wrist adduction.

Radial deviation

Wrist abduction.

Translation

Gliding or sliding movement.

Kinetic

Motion with reference to the forces.

Kinematic

Description of motion without reference to forces.