Common movements

Question 1

What is flexion and extension

Answer 1

Flexion: bending joint to decrease angle between two bones
Extension: straightening joint to increase angle between two bones

Question 2

What is ABduction and ADduction

Answer 2

ABduction: movement away from median plane (away from body)
ADduction: movement towards median plane (towards body)

Question 3

What is Horiztontal ABduction and ADduction

Answer 3

Horizontal ABduction: shoulder moves anteriorly (forwards)
Horizontal ADduction: Shoulder moves posteriorly(Backwards)

Question 4

What is Rotation

Answer 4

Rotation: movement of bone around its longitudinal axis

Internal rotation: limb moves its anterior surface medially (inwards)

External Rotation: limb moves its anterior surface laterally(outwards)

Question 5

What is Circumduction?

Answer 5

Circumduction – circular motion combining flexion, extension, abduction and adduction (proximal end of limb is stationary, while distal end moves in a circle)

Question 6

What is pronation and supination

Answer 6

Pronation: moving palm from facing anterior or upward position to posterior or downward position

Supination: moving palm from facing posterior to anterior position (like holding a bowl of soup)

Question 7

What is inversion and eversion

Answer 7

Inversion: turning sole of foot medially (inwards)

Eversion: turning sole of foot laterally (outwards)

Question 8

What is dorsiflexion

Answer 8

movement that decreases angle between foot and lower leg (moving toe up towards shin)

Question 9

what is plantar flexion

Answer 9

movement that increases angle between foot and lower leg (pointing toe downwards, like ballet dancer)

Question 10

what is opposition and reposition

Answer 10

opposition: thumb comes in contact with a finger

reposition: thumb returns back to anatomical position

Question 11

What is elevation and depression

Answer 11

Elevation: Lifting shoulders towards ears

depression: Moving shoulders away from ears