Movement Terminology

Abduction

Movement away from the midline of the body

Medial Rotation

Rotation toward the midline

Extension

Straightening of a joint/increasing the angle

Flexion

bending a joint/decreases angle

plantar flexion

bending of the sole of the foot by curling the toes toward the ground

lateral flexion

bending vertebral column to the side

depression

lowering a body part

supination

movement that turns the palm up

circumduction

moving the hip all the way around these risers

circumduction of hips or shoulders

moving the limb in a big circle (it emcompasses many muscle actions into one)

elevation

raising a body part

Lateral Rotation

rotation away from the midline

inversion

turning inward

pronation

turning the palm downward

eversion

turning the sole of the foot outward

dorsiflexion

Backward flexion, as in bending backward either a hand or foot - bring toes closer to shin

Adduction

Movement toward the midline of the body