Body Movements Terminology

Question 1

Protraction / Retraction

Answer 1

Forward / Backward

Question 2

Flexion / Extension

Answer 2

Bending / Straightening

Question 3

Elevation / Depression

Answer 3

Superiorly to the reference axis / Inferiorly to the reference axis

Question 4

Adduction / Abduction

Answer 4

Bringing closer to the reference axis / Moving away from the reference axis

Question 5

Medial Rotation / Lateral Rotation

Answer 5

Rotation toward the midline / Rotation away from the midline

Question 6

Pronation / Supination

Answer 6

Medial rotation of the radius, resulting in the palm of the hand facing posteriorly (if in anatomical position) or inferiorly (if elbow is flexed) / Lateral rotation of the radius, resulting in the palm of the hand facing anteriorly (if in anatomical position) or superiorly (if elbow is flexed)

Question 7

Inversion / Eversion

Answer 7

Plantar side toward the medial plane / Plantar side away from the medial plane

Question 8

Opposition / Reposition

Answer 8

Bringing the thumb in contact to a finger / Separating the thumb from the fingers

Question 9

Deviation

Answer 9

Ulnar and radial abduction of the wrist

Question 10

Circumduction

Answer 10

Involves a combination of flexion, abduction, extension, adduction

Question 11

Movement at the major joints

Answer 11

• Shoulder
• Elbow
• Proximal radioulnar joint
• Wrist
• Hip
• Knee
• Ankle
• Subtalar joint
• Spine
• Scapula
• Mandible

Question 12

Shoulder movements

Answer 12

flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation and circumduction

Question 13

Elbow movements

Answer 13

flexion and extension

Question 14

Proximal Radioulnar joint movements

Answer 14

pronation and supination

Question 15

Wrist movements

Answer 15

flexion, extension, adduction and abduction

Question 16

Hip movements

Answer 16

flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, internal rotation, external rotation and circumduction

Question 17

Knee movements

Answer 17

flexion and extension (small degree of internal-external rotation when knee is flexed)

Question 18

Ankle movements

Answer 18

dorsiflexion and plantarflexion

Question 19

Subtalar joint movements

Answer 19

inversion and eversion

Question 20

Spine movements

Answer 20

flexion, extension, rotation and lateral flexion and rotation (greatest at the atlantoaxial joint)

Question 21

Scapula movements

Answer 21

protraction, retraction, elevation, depression, upward rotation, and downward rotation

Question 22

Mandible movements

Answer 22

elevation, depression, protraction and retraction