Movement name: | Meaning: |
extension | straightens or opens a joint |
flexion | bends a joint (or brings bones closer together) |
adduction | brings limb closer to the body (or midline) |
abduction | moves limb laterally (away from midline) |
medial (or internal) rotation | limb turns in, toward the midline (occurs at shoulder & hip joints) |
lateral (or external) rotation | limb swings away from midline (occurs at shoulder & hip joints) |
rotation | pertains only to the axial skeleton (the head & vertebral column) |
circumduction | involves combination of flexion, extension, adduction, & abduction; together these create a cone-shaped motion (possible only at shoulder & hip joints) |
lateral flexion | when the head or vertebral column bend laterally to the side (occurs only at the axial skeleton) |
supination | when the radius & ulna lie parallel to one another (palms face up) or when feet curve inward. |
pronation | when the radius crosses over the ulna (palm down) or when feet curve outward |
opposition | occurs only at the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb, when the thumbpad crosses over the palm toward the last (pinkie) finger |
inversion | elevates foot's medial side, twisting the foot inward |
eversion | elevates foot's lateral side, twisting the foot outward |
plantar flexion | the ankle movment needed to point the foot or step on the car gas pedal. |
dorsiflexion | moves the ankle in closer, like letting off the gas pedal. |
protraction | when clavicle, scapula, head, or jaw move anteriorly. |
retraction | when clavicle, scapula, head, or jaw move posteriorly. |
elevation | when the scapula or jaw move superiorly |
depression | when the scapula or jaw move inferiorly |
deviation | shifting of the mandible (jaw) to either side, like when chewing or talking. |