Fundamental Movement Definitions

Flexion -- movement in the sagittal plane, away from the anatomical position

Extension -- movement in the sagittal plane, back to the anatomical position

Abduction -- movement in the frontal plane away from the anatomical position

Adduction -- movement in the frontal plane back to the anatomical position

Horizontal abduction -- movement away from midline in the transverse plane

Horizontal adduction -- movement towards midline in the transverse plane

Lateral flexion -- movement from midline in frontal plane (occurs in neck and trunk)

Internal rotation -- reference point turns in, towards midline

External rotation -- reference point turns out, away from midline

Circumduction -- not a pure movement but rather a combination of the basic four: flexion,

     extension abduction and adduction

Pronation -- forearm movement, hand down

Supination -- forearm movement, hand up

Foot pronation -- triplanar movement which combines the movement of eversion, horizontal

     abduction and dorsi flexion (open chain)

Foot supination --  triplanar movement which combines the movement of inversion, horizontal

     adduction, and plantar flexion (open chain)

Inversion -- foot movement, reference line is turned in towards midline (frontal plane)

Eversion -- foot movement, reference line is turned out away from midline (frontal plane)

Ulnar deviation -- wrist adduction

Radial deviation -- wrist abduction

Translation – gliding or sliding movement

Kinetic – motion with reference to the forces -*

Kinematic – description of motion without reference to forces