Movement Definitions

Question 1

Flexion

Answer 1

To bend; in hinge joints, the articulating bones move closer together; in ball and socket joints, the limb moves posterior to the midaxillary line

Question 2

Extension

Answer 2

To straighten or extend; in hinge joints the articulating bones move away from each other; in ball and socket joints, the limb moves posterior to the midaxillary line

Question 3

Lateral flexion

Answer 3

Spinal movement to the left or right occurs at the neck and the trunk

Question 4

Protraction

Answer 4

Movement of a structure toward the anterior surface in a straight horizontal line

Question 5

Retraction

Answer 5

Movement back to the anatomical position or additionally, posterior to functional range of motion

Question 6

Dorsi flexion

Answer 6

Movement of the ball of the foot towards the shin

Question 7

Plantar flexion

Answer 7

Foot movement towards the plantar surface

Question 8

Pronation

Answer 8

Unique rotation of the forearm which crosses the radius and ulna. The palm faces posterior. )Prone means lying face down)

Question 9

Supination

Answer 9

Unique rotation of the forearm where the radius and ulna uncross. The palms face anteriorly. (Supine means lying face up)

Question 10

Inversion

Answer 10

Confined to the ankle; consists of turning the ankle so the plantar surface of the foot faces medially

Question 11

Eversion

Answer 11

Confined to the ankle; consists of turning the ankle so the plantar surface of the foot faces laterally

Question 12

Abduction

Answer 12

Movement away from the midline

Question 13

Adduction

Answer 13

Movement toward the midline

Question 14

Ulnar deviation

Answer 14

Joint action at the wrist that causes the hand to move medially toward the little finger in the frontal plane

Question 15

External rotation

Answer 15

Action at the shoulder and hip joint where the articulating bone is rotated away from the body from the anatomical position

Question 16

Internal rotation

Answer 16

Action at the shoulder and hip joint where the articulating bone is rotated toward the body from the anatomical position

Question 17

Circumduction

Answer 17

Multiple-axis joint action where flexion is combined with abduction, and then adduction or extension and hyperextension are combined with abduction and then adduction

Question 18

Elevation

Answer 18

Superior movement of the bone

Question 19

Depression

Answer 19

Inferior movement of the bone

Question 20

Horizontal abduction

Answer 20

Movement away from the midline in the transverse plane

Question 21

Horizontal adduction

Answer 21

Movement toward the midline in the transverse plane

Question 22

Rotation

Answer 22

The turning of a structure around its long axis

Question 23

Radial deviation

Answer 23

Joint action at the wrist that causes the hand to move laterally toward the thumb in the frontal plane