From Canvas (Muscle Movement) - Unit 5: The Muscular System

Flexion

Adjusting angle between two parts

Bending movement that decreases the angle between two parts. Bending the elbow, or clenching a hand into a fist, are examples of flexion. When sitting down, the knees are flexed. Flexion of the hip or shoulder moves the limb forward (towards the anterior side of the body).

Extension

Adjusting angle between two parts

The opposite of flexion; a straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts. In a conventional handshake, the fingers are fully extended. When standing up, the knees are extended. Extension of the hip or shoulder moves the limb backward (towards the posterior side of the body).

Abduction

Adjusting relation to mid-line of body

A motion that pulls a structure or part away from the midline of the body (or, in the case of fingers and toes, spreading the digits apart, away from the centerline of the hand or foot). Abduction of the wrist is called radial deviation. Raising the arms laterally, to the sides, is an example of abduction.

Adduction

Adjusting relation to mid-line of body

A motion that pulls a structure or part towards the midline of the body, or towards the midline of a limb. Dropping the arms to the sides, or bringing the knees together, are examples of adduction. In the case of the fingers or toes, adduction is closing the digits together. Adduction of the wrist is called ulnar deviation.

Internal rotation

Rotating body parts

Internal rotation (or medial rotation) of the shoulder or hip would point the toes or the flexed forearm inwards (towards the midline).

External rotation

Rotating body parts

External rotation (or lateral rotation) is the opposite of Internal Rotation. It would turn the toes or the flexed forearm outwards (away from the midline).

Elevation

Rotating body parts

Movement in a superior direction.

Depression

Rotating body parts

Movement in an inferior direction, the opposite of elevation.

Volar, palmar, plantar

surfaces of the hands and feet

The palm (adj palmar) of the hand corresponds to the sole (adj plantar) of the foot.

dorsum

surfaces of the hands and feet

The top of the foot.

Pronation

rotation of the forearm

A rotation of the forearm that moves the palm from an anterior-facing position to a posterior-facing position, or palm facing down. This is not medial rotation as this must be performed when the arm is half flexed.

Supination

rotation of the forearm

The opposite of pronation, the rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces anteriorly, or palm facing up. The hand is supine (facing anteriorly) in the anatomical position.

Dorsiflexion

bending of the entire foot

Extension of the entire foot superiorly, as if taking one's foot off an automobile pedal.

Plantarflexion

bending of the entire foot

Flexion of the entire foot inferiorly, as if pressing an automobile pedal. Occurs at ankle.

Eversion

movement of the sole of the foot

The movement of the sole of the foot away from the median plane.

Inversion

movement of the sole of the foot

The movement of the sole towards the median plane (same as when an ankle is twisted).

Protrusion

anterior/posterior movement - general

The anterior movement of an object. This term is often applied to the jaw.

Retrusion

anterior/posterior movement - general

The opposite of protrusion, moving a part posteriorly.

Protraction

anterior/posterior movement - shoulders

Anterior movement of the arms at the shoulders.

Retraction

anterior/posterior movement - shoulders

Posterior movement of the arms at the shoulders.

anterograde motion

motion within body (such as in blood vessels or the digestive system)

The normal direction of flow. (For example, passage of food from the mouth to the stomach.)

retrograde motion

motion within body (such as in blood vessels or the digestive system)

Means reversed flow. (For example, gastric reflux.)

Rotation

A motion that occurs when a part turns on its axis. The head rotates on the neck, as in shaking the head 'no'.

Circumduction

The circular (or, more precisely, conical) movement of a body part, such as a ball-and-socket joint or the eye. It consists of a combination of flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction. "Windmilling" the arms or rotating the hand from the wrist are examples of circumductive movement.

Opposition

A motion involving a grasping of the thumb and fingers.

Reposition

To release an object by spreading the fingers and thumb.

Reciprocal motion of a joint

Alternating motion in opposing directions, such as the elbow alternating between flexion and extension.