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