Anatomy and Physiology I - Lesson 10 (JOINT MOVEMENTS)

What do action terms refer to?

Person standing in anatomical position with each joint in its zero position

• Joint movements are deviations from zero position or return to it

Flexion

Movement that DECREASES joint angle

Extension

Movement that straightens a joint and returns a body part back to zero position

What type of joints are flexion and extension common at?

HINGE joints

Hyperextension

Extension of a joint beyond the zero position

Abduction

Movement of a body part in the frontal plane AWAY from the midline of body

Hyperabduction

Raise arm to cross over back or front of head

Adduction

Movement in the frontal plane back TOWARDS the midline

Hyperadduction

Crossing fingers, crossing ankles

Elevation

Movement that raises a body part vertically in the frontal plane

Depression

Movement that lowers a body part in the same place

Protraction

The anterior movement of a body part in the transverse/horizontal plane

(moving forwards)

Retraction

Posterior movement (moving backwards)

Circumduction

One end of an appendage remains stationary while other end makes a circular motion

• Ex. Moving arm in circular motion

Rotation

Movement in which a bone spins on its longitudinal axis

Medial/internal Rotation

Turns the bone inward

Lateral/external Rotation

Turns the bone outward

Supination

Forearm movement that turns palm to face anteriorly or upward

Pronation

Forearm movement that turns palm to face posteriorly or downward

• Ex. Doing a push up

Flexion of head/trunk

Forward-bending movements at waist or neck

Extension of head/trunk

Straightens trunk or neck

Hyperextension of head/trunk

Bending over backward

Lateral flexion

Tilting the head or trunk to the right or left at the midline

Right or left rotation

Twisting at the waist or turning of the head

What movements allow the mandible to bite/chew?

Protraction, retraction, elevation, depression

Hand/Digits: flexion

Curling fingers

Hand/Digits: extension

Straightening fingers

Hand/Digits: abduction

Spreading fingers apart

Hand/Digits: adduction

Bringing abducted fingers together again

Hand/Digits: opposition

Thumb moves to approach tip of another finger

Hand/Digits: reposition

Return of thumb to zero position

Foot: dorisflexion

Elevating toes as you do while swinging foot forward to take a step

Foot: plantar flexion

Extending foot so toes point downwards in tip-toe position

Foot: inversion

Soles are turned medially

Foot: eversion

Soles are turned laterally