Directional Terms (Anatomy)

Sports Mediciene

Flexion

decreasing the angle formed by bones of the joints

Extension

increasing the joint angle

Abduction

movement away from the mid line

Adduction

movement to the mid line

Pronation

pouring soup (bowl in one hand)

Supination

holding soup (bowl in one hand)

Inversion

moving ankle to the point where the sole is showing towards your body

Eversion

moving ankle to the point where the sole is showing away from your body

Protraction

moving a structure foward (extending)

Retraction

drawing structure back or backward

Elevation

moving structure upwards

Depression

moving structure downwards

Rotation

movement in a circular like motion

Circumduction

arm windmill motion (shoulder joint)

Opposition

touching all your fingers with your thumb

Dorsiflexion

flexing your toe upward

Plantarflextion

extending your toe out

Lateral flexion

when you bend to the side

External Rotation

circles away from the midline

Internal Rotation

circle towards the midline of the body

Agonist

muscle that is contracting

Antagonist

the muscle that is relaxing or lengthening

Synergist

a muscle that assist the main muscle in performing a movement, helping with stability, power, fluid control