Demonstrating movements of synovial joints

Eversion

A movement that turns the sole of the foot laterally; the opposite of inversion

Pronation

movement of the palm of the hand from an anterior or upward-facing position to a posterior or downward-facing position. The distal end of the radius moves across the ulna so that the bones form an X

Circumduction

a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction commonly observed in ball-and-socket joints like the shoulder. The proximal end of the limb remains stationary, and the distal end moves in a circle. The limb as a whole outlines a cone. Condylar and saddle joints also allow circumduction.

Plantar Flexion

a movement of the ankle joint in which the foot is flexed downward as if standing on one's toes or pointing the toes

Dorsiflexion

a movement of the ankle joint that lifts the foot so that its superior surface approaches the shin.

Extension

a movement that increases the angle of a joint and the distance between two bones or parts of the body (straightening the knee or elbow) the opposite of flexion. If extension proceeds beyond anatomical position (bends the trunk backward) it is termed hyperextension

Inversion

a movement that turns the sole of the foot medially

Flexion

a movement, generally in the sagittal plane, that decreases the angle of the joint and reduces the distance between the two bones. Flexion is typical of hinge joints (bending the knee or elbow) but is also common at ball-and-socket joints (bending forward at the hip)

Rotation

movement of a bone around its longitudinal axis without lateral or medial displacement. Rotation, a common movement of ball-and-socket joints, also describes the movement of the atlas around the dens of the axis

Abduction

movement of a limb away from the midline or median plane of the body, generally on the frontal plane, or the fanning movement of fingers or toes when they are spread apart

Adduction

movement of a limb toward the midline of the body or drawing the fingers or toes together; the opposite of abduction

Supination

movement of the palm from a posterior position to an anterior position (the anatomical position) the opposite of pronation. During supination, the radius and ulna are parallel