32 Anatomical movements

Anatomical movements:

Before delving into the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system, it is important to understand the anatomical terminology used to describe movements. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the following movements and their examples:

Extension: Increasing the angle between two bones, typically moving a limb or body part away from the body, like straightening the elbow.

Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two bones, typically bending a limb or body part, such as bending the elbow or knee.

Abduction: Moving a limb away from the midline of the body, like moving the arm or leg to the side.

Adduction: Moving a limb toward the midline of the body, like bringing the arm or leg back toward the body.

Circumduction: Circular movement of a limb, such as moving the arm in a full circle from the shoulder joint. It combines flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction.

Plantar Flexion: Bending the foot downward at the ankle, like pointing the toes.

Dorsiflexion: Bending the foot upward at the ankle, like lifting the toes toward the shin.

Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot outward, away from the midline.

Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot inward, toward the midline.

Elevation: Raising a body part, like shrugging the shoulders upward.

Depression: Lowering a body part, like moving the shoulders downward after a shrug.

Protraction: Moving a body part forward, like pushing the jaw or shoulders forward.

Retraction: Moving a body part backward, like pulling the jaw or shoulders back.