Joint Movement Definitions

Question 1

Extension

Answer 1

Movement resulting in an increase of the joint angle; usually moving posteriorly in the sagittal plane

Question 2

Abduction

Answer 2

Movement away from the midline of the body; usually in the frontal plane

Question 3

Adduction

Answer 3

Movement toward the midline of the body; usually in the frontal plane

Question 4

Horizontal abduction

Answer 4

Movement away from the midline of the body in the transverse plane

Question 5

Horizontal adduction

Answer 5

Movement toward the midline of the body in the transverse plane

Question 6

Internal (medial) rotation

Answer 6

Rotation in the transverse plane toward the midline of the body

Question 7

External (lateral) rotation

Answer 7

Rotation in the transverse plane away from the midline of the body

Question 8

Lateral flexion (right or left)

Answer 8

Movement away from the midline of the body in the frontal plane

Question 9

Rotation (right or left)

Answer 9

Right or left rotation in the transverse plane

Question 10

Elevation

Answer 10

Movement of the scapula superiorly in the frontal plane

Question 11

Depression

Answer 11

Movement of the scapula inferiorly in the frontal plane

Question 12

Retraction

Answer 12

Movement of the scapula toward the spine in the frontal plane

Question 13

Protraction

Answer 13

Movement of the scapula away from the spine in the frontal plane

Question 14

Upward rotation

Answer 14

Superior and lateral movement of the inferior angle of the scapula in the frontal plane

Question 15

Downward rotation

Answer 15

Inferior and medial movement of the inferior angle of the scapula in the frontal plane

Question 16

Circumspection

Answer 16

A compound circular movement involving flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, circumscribing a cone shape

Question 17

Radial deviation

Answer 17

Abduction of the wrist in the frontal plane

Question 18

Ulnar deviation

Answer 18

Adduction of the wrist in the frontal plane

Question 19

Opposition

Answer 19

Diagonal movement of the thumb across the palmar surface of the hand to make contact with the fifth digit

Question 20

Eversion

Answer 20

Abducting the ankle

Question 21

Inversion

Answer 21

Adducting the ankle

Question 22

Dorsiflexion

Answer 22

Flexing the ankle so that the foot moves anteriorly in the sagittal plane

Question 23

Plantarflexion

Answer 23

Extending the ankle so that the foot moves posteriorly in the sagittal plane

Question 24

Pronation (foot/ankle)

Answer 24

Combined movements of abduction and eversion resulting in lowering of the medial margin of the foot

Question 25

Supination (foot/ankle)

Answer 25

Combined movements of adduction and inversion resulting in raising of the medial margin of the foot

Question 26

Flexion

Answer 26

Movement resulting in a decrease of the joint angle; usually moving anteriorly in the sagittal plane