General Motion

Flexion

Generally, a bending movement that decreases the angle between body parts.

When a hand is clenched into a fist there is a strong … of the phalanges on the metacarpal heads. By convention, … at the shoulder or hip joint refers to a ventral (forward) movement of the limb.

Extension

Opposite of flexion; a straightening movement that increases the angle between body parts.

The karate chop is made by a rigid hand in which the fingers are extended. By convention, … at the shoulder or hip joint is a dorsal (backward) swing of the limb.

Abduction

Movement of a body part, usually a limb, away from the sagittal plane.

When the arm is raised to the side from standard anatomical position, … of the arm occurs.

For the special case of fingers & toes, … is the movement of the digit away from the midline of the hand or foot (spreading the digits).

Adduction

Opposite of abduction; movement of a body part, usually a limb, toward the sagittal plane.

Bringing the arm down to slap the side of the thigh is an example.

For the special case of fingers & toes, … is movement of the digit toward the midline of the hand or food (closing the digits).

Circumduction

A combination of abduction and adduction, as well as flexion and extension, that results in an appendage being moved in a cone-shaped path.

When the driver of a slow vehicle signals someone behind him to pass, this “waving on” motion is often done by the … arm.

Rotation

Motion that occurs as one body part turns on an axis. The movement of the head of the radius on the distal humerus is an example.

Opposition

Motion in which body parts are brought together. “…” of the thumb and finger tips allow us to grasp small objects.