Ranges of Motion

Question 1

Elevation

Answer 1

Moving a body part upward. For example, shrugging the shoulders.

Question 2

Depression

Answer 2

Moving a body part downward. For example, lowering the shoulders after a shrug.

Question 3

Protraction

Answer 3

Moving a body part forward. For example, pushing the jaw or shoulder blade forward.

Question 4

Redaction

Answer 4

Moving a body part backward. For example, pulling the jaw or shoulder blade backward.

Question 5

Flexion

Answer 5

The action of bending a joint, decreasing the angle between two body parts. For example, bending the elbow or knee.

Question 6

Extension

Answer 6

The action of straightening a joint, increasing the angle between two body parts. For example, straightening the elbow or knee.

Question 7

Adduction

Answer 7

Movement toward the midline of the body. For example, bringing the arm or leg back towards the body.

Question 8

Abduction

Answer 8

Movement away from the midline of the body. For example, lifting the arm or leg sideways away from the body.

Question 9

External Rotation

Answer 9

Rotating a joint away from the center of the body. For example, rotating the shoulder or hip outward.

Question 10

Internal Rotation

Answer 10

Rotating a joint towards the center of the body. For example, rotating the shoulder or hip inward.

Question 11

Pronation

Answer 11

Rotating the forearm or foot so the palm or sole is facing downward or backward. For example, turning the palm down.

Question 12

Supination

Answer 12

Rotating the forearm or foot so the palm or sole is facing upward or forward. For example, turning the palm up.

Question 13

Radial Deviation

Answer 13

movement of the wrist towards the radius, or the thumb side of the forearm

Question 14

Ulnar Deviation

Answer 14

movement of the wrist towards the ulna, or the little finger side of the forearm

Question 15

Radial Abduction

Answer 15

movement of the thumb away from the palm of the hand in the plane of the palm, towards the radial (thumb) side.

Question 16

Palmar Abduction

Answer 16

movement of the thumb away from the palm at a right angle to the plane of the palm, making the thumb move in a perpendicular direction to the fingers.

Question 17

Opposition

Answer 17

movement of the thumb across the palm to touch the tips of the other fingers. This movement combines elements of flexion, abduction, and rotation of the thumb’s carpometacarpal (CMC) joint.

Question 18

Inversion

Answer 18

Turning the sole of the foot inward. For example, rotating the ankle so the sole faces the other foot.

Question 19

Eversion

Answer 19

Turning the sole of the foot outward. For example, rotating the ankle so the sole faces away from the other foot.

Question 20

Plantar Flexion

Answer 20

Pointing the foot downwards away from the shin. For example, pressing the gas pedal in a car.

Question 21

Dorsiflexion

Answer 21

Lifting the foot upwards towards the shin. For example, bending the ankle so the toes point up.