Joint movement

gliding

occurring in plane joints; slight movement, sliding over each other

angular

flexion and extension; changes in angle between the bones at the joint

flexion

a bending movement that decreases the angle of the joint to bring the working bones together

extension

a straightening movement that increases the angle of the joint to straighten the working bones

hyperextension

extension of a joint beyond the anatomical position (180*)

plantar flexion

movement of the foot toward the plantar surface

dorsiflexion

movement of foot toward the shin

abduction

to bring together; movement toward the midline

adduction

to take away; movement toward midline

rotation

the turing of a structure around its long axis

pronation

rotation of the forearms so that the palms face posteriorly ( back )

supination

rotation of forearm so palms face anteriorly ( up )

circumduction

combination of flexion, extension abduction and adduction

special movements

unique to only 1 or 2 joints

elevation

moves structure superiorly ( up )

depression

moves structure inferiorly ( down )

protraction

a gliding motion that moves a structure in an anterior direction ( front )

retraction

a gelding motion that moves a structure in a posterior direction ( back )

lateral excursion

moving mandible to left or right of midline

medial excursion

returns the mandible to the midline position

opposition

movement of thumb to tip of pinky finger across the palm

reposition

thumb returns to neutral position

inversion

turns the ankle so the plantar surface of the foot faces medially, toward opposite foot ( rolling out )

eversion

turns the ankle so that the plantar surface faces laterally, with weight on the inside edge of the foot ( rolling in )