Sports Med - Movement Terminology

Abduction

moves limb laterally away from the midline

Adduction

a joint brings a limb medially toward the body’s midline “adding to the body”

Eversion

turning outward

Inversion

turning inward

Plantarflexion

performed by moving the ankle to point your foot into “the earth” or stepping on a car’s gas pedal

Dorsiflexion

the opposite movement, such as moving the ankle to let off the gas pedal

Rotation

a movement of the head and vertebral column along the transverse plane

Circumduction

a combination of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction

Lateral flexion

when the head or vertebral column bends laterally to the side

Extension

movement that straightens or opens the joint

External (lateral) rotation

swings the limb away from the midline

Internal (medial) rotation

limb turns in toward the midline

Pronation

applied to the foot and hand, leaning inward

Supination

applied to the foot and hand, leaning outward

Valgus

deviation of a part or portion of the extremity distal to a joint away from the midline of the body

Varus

deviation of a part or portion of an extremity distal to a joint toward the midline of the body

Sagittal Plane

divides the body into left and right

Frontal Plane

divides the body into front and back portions

Transverse

dividing the body into upper and lower parts

Superior

Refers to a structure closer to the head

Inferior

Closer to the feet

Posterior (dorsal)

Pertains to a structure further toward the back of the body than another structure

Anterior (ventral)

Refers to a structure further in front

Medial

Pertains to a structure closer to the midline of the body

Lateral

Refers to a structure further away from the midline

Superficial

Describes a structure closer to the body’s surface

ex. skin

Deep

Refers to a structure deeper in the body

ex. bone

Distal

A structure further away from the trunk (torso) or the body’s midline

Proximal

Designates a structure closer to the trunk (torso)

Flexion

Movement that bends a joint or brings the bones closer together