Joint Movements

Elevation

raising a part. (Example: shrugging the shoulders).

Pronation

turning the forearm so the palm is downward, or so that the palm is facing posteriorly if in anatomical position. Prone refers to the body lying face down.

Protraction

​moving a part forward (Example: thrusting the jaw forward).

Supination

​turning the forearm so the palm is upward, or so that the palm is facing anteriorly if in anatomical position. Supine refers to the body lying face up.

Eversion

Turning the foot so the plantar surface faces laterally (to the side). Plantar surface = sole, bottom of the foot.

Inversion

Turning the foot so the plantar surface faces medially (to the middle). Plantar surface = sole, bottom of the foot.

Hyperextension​

a term sometimes used to describe the extension of the parts at a joint beyond the anatomical position. (Example: bending the head back beyond anatomical position). Often used to describe an abnormal extension beyond the normal range of motion, resulting in an injury.

Flexion

bending parts at a joint so that the ​angle​ between them decreases and the parts​ come closer together. (Example: bending the knee).

Depression

lowering a part. (Example: drooping the shoulders).

Dorsiflexion​

movement at the ankle that brings the foot closer to the shin. (Example: standing on your heels).

Plantar flexion​

movement at the ankle that brings the foot farther from the shin. (Example: standing on your toes or pressing the gas pedal in the car).

Rotation

moving a part around an axis. (Example: turning the head side to side to look right and left). Internal (medial) rotation is turning a limb on its longitudinal axis so its anterior surface moves toward the midline. External (lateral) rotation is turning a limb on its longitudinal axis in the opposite direction.

Abduction

moving a part away from the midline. (Example: lifting arm horizontally to form a right angle with the side of the body); or moving a part from the axial line of the limb (spreading the fingers or toes). Abduction of the head and neck and bending the trunk to the side = lateral flexion).

Retraction

moving a part backward (Example: pulling the jaw back to normal position).

Circumduction

moving a part so that its end follows a circular path. (Example: moving the finger in a circular motion without moving the hand).

Adduction​

moving a part toward the midline (example: returning the upper limb from the horizontal position to the side of the body) or toward the axial line of the limb (example:moving fingers and toes closer together).

Extension​

moving parts at a joint so that the ​angle​ between them increases and the parts​ move farther apart. (Example: straightening the knee).