Mobility Terminology

Question 0

The process whereby a patient puts a joint through its full extent of movement

Answer 0

Active range of motion

Question 1

Movement away from the midline of the body

Answer 1

Abduction

Question 2

Movement toward the midline of the body

Answer 2

Adduction

Question 3

An object or piece of equipment designed to help a patient with activities of daily living, such as a cane, eyeglasses, or a hearing aid

Answer 3

Assistive device

Question 4

Decrease in size, wasting away, or progressive decline of a body part or tissue

Answer 4

Atrophy

Question 5

The space between the feet that bears the weight of the body

Answer 5

Base of support

Question 6

The coordinated efforts of muscles, bones, and the nervous system to maintain balance, posture, and alignment during movement, especially bending, lifting, and walking

Answer 6

Body mechanics

Question 7

The point at which a body’s entire weight is concentrated so that, if supported at this point, the body would remain in equilibrium in any position

Answer 7

Center of gravity

Question 8

Circular movement of a limb or of the eye

Answer 8

Circumduction

Question 9

A deformity that results from abnormal shortening of muscle tissue, making the muscle highly resistant to stretching

Answer 9

Contracture

Question 10

farthest from the origin of a part

Answer 10

Distal

Question 11

Directed toward or situated on the back surface

Answer 11

Dorsal

Question 12

Upward bending of the toes and the foot

Answer 12

Dorsiflexion

Question 13

Turning of a body part away from the body’s midline

Answer 13

Eversion

Question 14

Method of walking with crutches that involves alternating bearing weight on one or both legs and on the crutches

Answer 14

Crutch gait

Question 15

Outward rotation of a joint

Answer 15

External rotation

Question 16

Movement that decreases the angle between two adjoining bones; bending of the limb

Answer 16

Flexion

Question 17

The force that resists relative motion between two objects in contact

Answer 17

Friction

Question 18

The pattern of how a person walks

Answer 18

Gait

Question 19

Increase in the volume of a tissue or organ produced entirely by enlargement of existing cells

Answer 19

Hypertrophy

Question 20

Movement of a body part beyond its usual resting and extended position

Answer 20

Hyperextension

Question 21

Inward rotation of a joint

Answer 21

Internal rotation

Question 22

Turning of a body part towards the body’s midline

Answer 22

Inversion

Question 23

The act of bending to one side

Answer 23

Lateral flexion

Question 24

A procedure for turning a patient as one stable unit, with hands crossed on the chest, and a smooth continuous motion

Answer 24

Logrolling

Question 25

Being able to support some percentage of the body’s weight, such as 30% to 50%

Answer 25

Partial weight-bearing

Question 26

The process of putting a joint through its full extent of movement by someone other than the patient

Answer 26

Passive range of motion

Question 27

Bending the toes and the foot downward

Answer 27

Plantarflexion

Question 28

Movement of a body part so that it’s front or ventral surface faces downward

Answer 28

Pronation

Question 29

Lying on the abdomen with the legs extended and the head turned to the side

Answer 29

Prone

Question 30

Nearest to the origin of a part

Answer 30

Proximal

Question 31

Movement of a body part so that it’s front or ventral surface faces upwards

Answer 31

Supination

Question 32

Being able to support some percentage of the body’s weight, as in full weight-bearing, example: able to support 100% of the body’s weight

Answer 32

Weight bearing