Movement Terminology

Adduction

if a joint brings a limb medially toward the body's midline ("adding to the body")

Abduction

if a joint moves a limb laterally away from the midline ("abduct or carry away")

Inversion

Turning the foot inward by a combination of movements in several bones of the foot. In this movement the medial side of the foot elevates and the sole of the foot turns medially.

Eversion

Turning the foot outward by a combination of movements in several bones of the foot. In this movement the lateral side of the foot elevates and moves the sole laterally.

Dorsiflexion

Upward movement of foot (toes) due to movement at the ankle joint.

Rotation

When a twisting, pivoting movement occurs along any part of the vertebral column. In the neck, this would result in a 'shaking the head no' movement

Lateral Rotation (External Rotation)

When the shoulder or hip joints turn the limb away from the midline

Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation)

When the shoulder or hip joints turn the limb in toward the midline

Hyperextension

extension beyond anatomical position (beyond straight 180 degrees) or beyond the normal range for a joint

Retraction (adduction)

Posterior movement of scapula, clavicle, head and jaw ("retreat")

Elevation

Superior movement of the scapula and jaw

Flexion

movement that bends a joint or brings the bones closer together (decreasing the angle)

Extension

movement that straightens or opens a joint (increasing the joint angle up to 180 degrees)

Lateral flexion

A side-bending motion that only occurs when the vertebral column bends laterally to the side. This can occur in the cervical vertebrae (to bend the neck to the side) and/or along the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae (to bend the torso).

Circumduction

A cone shaped movement that is a combination of flexion, extension, adduction and abduction that only occurs at the hip and shoulder joints.

Protraction (abduction)

Anterior movement of scapula, clavicle, head and jaw ("protrude")

Depression

Inferior movement of the scapula and jaw

Plantarflexion

Movement at the ankle to point your foot (toes) into the earth.

Opposition

Movement that occurs at the carpometacarpal joint of the thumb which moves the thumb across the palm towards the 1st finger (pinkie)

Deviation

Movement to the side which can occur at the jaw or wrist.