Terms of Movement

Question 1

Flexion

Answer 1

Movement that decreases the angle between two parts. Usually a movement to a more anterior location from anatomical position.
You also have plantar flexion and dorsiflexion

Question 2

Extension

Answer 2

Movement that increases the angle between two parts. Usually a movement to a more posterior location from anatomical position.

Question 3

Abduction and Adduction

Answer 3

Abduction is the movement of a structure away from the median plane. Adduction is the movement of a structure towards the median plane.

Abduction spreads fingers and toes away from the middle digit, while adduction draws them together toward the middle digit.

Question 4

Rotation

Answer 4

Movement that occurs around a central axis of a body part.

Question 5

Pronation

Answer 5

The radius rotates medially, crossing over the distal ulna.

The palm of the hand faces posteriorly (in extension) or inferiorly (in flexion).

Question 6

Supination

Answer 6

The radius rotates laterally, uncrossing the distal ulna so that the palm of the hand faces anteriorly (in extension) or posteriorly (in flexion).

Question 7

Eversion

Answer 7

Turning the sole of the foot outward to face away from the midline.

Question 8

Inversion

Answer 8

Turning the sole of the foot inward to face toward the midline.

Question 9

Plantarflexion and dorsiflexion

Answer 9

Plantarflexion refers to flexion in the downward direction.
The ball of the foot moves inferiorly, eg standing on your tip toes.

Dorsiflexion is for when the dorsal surface of the foot (toes) move toward the shin.

Question 10

Circumduction

Answer 10

Movement of an appendage in a circular or cone-shaped path. This involves abduction, adduction, flexion, and extension.

Question 11

Opposition and reposition

Answer 11

Movement of the thumb medially to touch a fingertip.

Reposition=moving the thumb back to anatomical position.

Question 12

Describe external (lateral) and internal (medial) rotation

Answer 12

lateral or external rotation= rotation that brings the anterior surface of the limb away from the median plane. eg rotating a bent arm away from you.

medial or internal rotation: movement brings the anterior surface of the limb closer to the median plane

Question 13

What is supine and prone position?

Answer 13

When a person lies on their back, face and abdomen facing up, they’re in the supine position.
When a person is lying on their abdomen, face down, they’re in the prone position.

Question 14

Elevation and depression

Answer 14

Elevation refers to movement of a body part superiorly, eg shrugging your shoulders or opening your upper eyelids.

Depression defines movement of a body part inferiorly

Question 15

Protrusion and retraction

Answer 15

protrusion refers to an anterior movement of a body part, like when you stick out your tongue or mandible (lower jaw).

Retraction is the posterior movement of a body part, eg bringing shoulders backward and the scapulae move posteromedially.