Anatomy and Physiology: Movement Terms Notes

Movement Terms:

• Flexion: bending a joint, decrease in the angle between 2 bones
• Extension: straightening a joint, increase in the angle between 2 bones

• Abduction: movement of a joint away from the midline of the body. 
• Adduction: movements towards the midline of the body.

• Medial rotation: rotation movement towards the midline of the body
• Lateral rotation: rotation movement away from the midline of the body

• Protraction: moving an anatomical part forward towards the anterior side
• Retraction: moving an anatomical part backwards towards the posterior side

• Elevation: movement in the superior direction
• Depression: movement in the inferior direction

• Pronation: back of hand facing up
• Supination: palms face up

• Inversion: the movement of the soles of your feet towards the midline of the body
• Eversion: the movement of the soles of your feet away from the midline

• Plantar flexion: the movement of the foot downwards, away from the body
• Dorsiflexion: the movement of the foot upwards, towards the body

• Circumduction: the movement of a body region in a circular manner