Anatomical Movements
Flexion
Bending a joint or decreasing the angle between two bones. Occurs in sagittal plane
Circumduction
Combination of Flexion/extension, abduction/adduction and rotation resulting in a conical motion. Occurs in multiple planes.
Radial flexion (Deviation)
Movement of the wrist towards the radius or lateral side. Movement occurs in coronal plane.
Ulnar flexion (Deviation)
Movement of the wrist towards the ulnar or medial side. Movement occurs in coronal plane.
Abduction
Moving a body part away from the midline of the body. Occurs in coronal plane
Retraction
Moving a body part backward. Examples: gliding of the scapula or mandible posteriorly. Movements occurs along transverse plane.
Protraction
Moving a body part forward. Examples: gliding of the scapula or mandible anteriorly. Movements occurs along transverse plane.
Adduction
Moving a body part toward the midline of the body. Occurs in coronal plane
Hyperextension
Extending a joint beyond its normal range of motion. example: the wrist. Occurs in sagittal plane
movements in sagittal plane
Flexion Extension Hyperextension dorsiflexion plantar flexion Opposition of thumb
movements in coronal plane
Ankle Inversion Ankle Eversion Elevation Depression Radial flexion (Deviation) Ulnar flexion (Deviation) Abduction of fingers and thumb
Dorsiflexion
Ankle movement bringing the foot towards the shin. Occurs in sagittal plane
Plantar flexion
Ankle movement pointing the foot downward. Occurs in sagittal plane
movements in multiple planes
Circumduction
Depression
Lowering a body part. Examples - lowering shoulder after shrugging (lowering scapula) and opening mouth (lowering mandible). Movement occurs in coronal plane.
movements in transverse plane
Medial (internal) Rotation Lateral (external) Rotation Protraction Retraction Pronation Supination
Pronation
Movement of palm from anterior or upward facing to posterior or downward facing. Movements occurs along transverse plane.
Supination
Movement of palm from posterior to anterior - returning to anatomical position. Movements occurs along transverse plane.
Opposition of thumb
Movement of the Thumb towards finger tips. Occurs in sagittal plane
Elevation
Raising a body part. Examples -shoulder shrug (raising scapula) and closing mouth (raising mandible). Movement occurs in coronal plane.
Lateral (external) Rotation
Rotation of the hip or shoulder away from the midline. Occurs in transverse plane.
Medial (internal) Rotation
Rotation of the hip or shoulder toward the midline. Occurs in transverse plane.
Abduction of fingers and thumb
Spreading fingers apart. Movement occurs in coronal plane.
Extension
Straightening a joint or increasing the angle between two bones. Occurs in sagittal plane
Ankle Inversion
Turning the sole of the foot inward. Occurs in coronal plane.
Ankle Eversion
Turning the sole of the foot outward. Occurs in coronal plane