Movement of the Forearm and Hand
Supination
LATERAL ROTATION of the forearm so that the palm of the hand faces anteriorly and the ulna and radius lay parallel to one another.
Flexion
1. Anteriorly directed movement in the sagittal plane of the hand at the midcarpal joint. 2. Bending the fingers at the MCP and IP joints. 3. Movement of the thumb towards and across the palm of the hand in a plane parallel to the palm. This movement brings the thumb to point toward the fifth digit, generally.
Abduction
1. Lateral displacement or deflection of the hand at the midcarpal joint. Called also RADIAL DEVIATION. 2. Movement in the coronal plane of digits 2, 3, 4, and 5 away from the midline of the hand passing through digit 3. The point of reference for finger abduction is the middle finger (digit 3). 3. Movement of the thumb away from the palm of the hand in a plane perpendicular to the palm. In anatomical position, the thumb moves anteriorly. Called also PALMAR ABDUCTION.
Adduction
1. Medial displacement or deflection of the hand at the radiocarpal joint. Called also ULNAR DEVIATION. 2. Movement in the coronal plane of digits 2, 4, and 5 towards the midline of the hand passing through digit 3. The point of reference for finger adduction is the middle finger (digit 3). 3. Movement of the thumb towards the palm of the hand in a plane perpendicular to the palm.
Extension
1. Posteriorly directed movement in the sagittal plane of the hand at the radiocarpal joint. 2. Straightening the fingers at the MCP and IP joints. 3. Movement of the thumb away from the palm of the hand in a plane parallel to the palm. Called also RADIAL ABDUCTION.
Radial Deviation
Applied to the hand, called also ABDUCTION.
Ulnar Deviation
Applied to the hand, called also ADDUCTION.
Palmar abduction
Applied to the thumb, called also ABDUCTION.
Radial Abduction
Applied to the thumb, called also EXTENSION.
Pronation
MEDIAL ROTATION of the forearm so that the palm of the hand faces posteriorly and the ulna and radius are crossed.
Opposition
Movement of the thumb across the palm such that its distoanterior surface, or pad, contacts the distoanterior surface of any of the other digits as when making a precision grip. Combination of ABDUCTION with FLEXION and MEDIAL ROTATION at the carpometacarpal (CMC) joint of the thumb.
