Anatomical terms of movement

Question 1

Flexion

Answer 1

Decrease angle between two body parts e.g. ankle moving closer to bum

Question 2

Extension

Answer 2

Increasing the angle between two body parts e.g. knee straightening

Question 3

Abduction

Answer 3

Body part moving away from midline

Question 4

Adduction

Answer 4

Body part moving towards the midline

Question 5

Medial Rotation

Answer 5

Rotational movement towards the midline e.g. foot pointing inwards

Question 6

Lateral Rotation

Answer 6

Rotational movement away from the midline e.g. toes pointing outwards

Question 7

Elevation

Answer 7

Body part moving superiorly

Question 8

Depression

Answer 8

Body part moves in an inferior direction

Question 9

Pronation

Answer 9

movement of palm to face downwards while keeping shoulder and elbow still (prone position)

Question 10

Supination

Answer 10

movement of palm to face upwards while keeping elbow and shoulder still (supine)

Question 11

Dorsiflexion

Answer 11

Flexion of the ankle so that the foot points in a superior direction

Question 12

Plantarflexion

Answer 12

Extension at the ankle so the foot points in an inferior direction (also palmar flexion for wrist)

Question 13

Inversion

Answer 13

movement of the sole of the foot so it faces the midline

Question 14

Eversion

Answer 14

Movement of the sole of the foot so it faces away from the midline

Question 15

Opposition

Answer 15

Bringing thumb and pinky together

Question 16

Reposition

Answer 16

Movement that brings the thumb and pinky away from each other

Question 17

Circumduction

Answer 17

conical movement of a limb extending from the joint at which the movement is controlled

Question 18

Protraction

Answer 18

anterolateral movement of the scapula on the thoracic wall that allows the shoulder to move anteriorly (reaching for something)

Question 19

Retraction

Answer 19

postmedial movement of the scapula on the thoracic wall causing the shoulder to move posteriorly (pull backwards)