MOVEMENT DESCRIPTION TERMINOLOGY

Movement terminology is used to describe the action that a joint or limb is performing during a particular movement. In certain incidences like other terminology, movement terminology will used several different terms to describe the same joint or limb action.

GENERAL TERMINOLOGY

ABDUCTION: Joint movement away from the midline of the body.

ADDUCTION: Joint movement toward the midline of the body.

FLEXION: Joint movement that brings two body surfaces closer together.

• The angle of a flexing joint will decrease relevant to its starting position.
• E.g., hand moving to shoulder is possible by elbow flexion.

EXTENSION: Joint movement that separates two body surfaces farther apart.

• The angle of a extending joint will get larger relevant to its starting position.
• E.g., hand moving away from the shoulder is possible by elbow extension.

CIRCUMDUCTION: Circle action of a joint.

• Is accomplished by a combination joint movement of adduction, abduction, flexion, and extension.
• Circumduction is not considered joint rotation.
• The thumb, shoulder, and hip joints are cable of circumduction.

DIAGONAL ABDUCTION: Movement of a joint in a diagonal plane away from the midline of the body.

• Movement is a combination of abduction-flexion or abduction-extension movement of the joint.

DIAGONAL ADDUCTION: Movement of a joint in a diagonal plane toward the midline of the body.

• Movement is a combination of adduction-flexion or adduction-extension movement of the joint.

EXTERNAL ROTATION (Lateral, outward): A rotation of the bone about its long axis (its length) so as to cause the associated surface to move away from the midline of the body.

INTERNAL ROTATION (Medial, Inward): A rotation of the bone about its long axis (its length) so as to cause the associated surface to move toward the midline of the body.

JOINT SPECIFIC MOVEMENTS

SHOULDER GIRDLE (shoulder blade)

DEPRESSION: Inferior movement of the shoulder girdle.

ELEVATION: Superior movement of the shoulder girdle.

PROTRACTION (scapula abduction): Lateral horizontal movement of the scapula away from the spine.

RETRACTION (scapula adduction): Medial horizontal movement of the scapula toward the spine.

ROTATION DOWNWARD (Downward rotation): Rotary movement of the scapula in such a way that the inferior angle rotates toward the spine. (rotates on an anterior-posterior axis)

ROTATION UPWARD (Upward rotation): Rotary movement of the scapula in such a way that the inferior angle rotates away from the spine. (rotates on an anterior-posterior axis)

SHOULDER JOINT

HORIZONTAL ABDUCTION (Horizontal Extension, Transverse Abduction): Movement of the humerus in the transverse plane away from the midline of the body.

HORIZONTAL ADDUCTION (Horizontal Flexion, Transverse Adduction): Movement of the humerus in the transverse plane toward the midline of the body.

RADIOULNAR JOINT (Forearm)

PRONATION: Internal rotation of the radius about the ulna causing the palms to be showing posteriorly when in the anatomical position.

SUPINATION: External rotation of the radius about the ulna causing the palms to be showing laterally when in the anatomical position.

WRIST JOINT

RADIAL FLEXION (radial deviation): Abduction of the hand at the wrist joint thus moving the thumb closer to the forearm.

ULNAR FLEXION (ulnar deviation): Adduction of the hand at the wrist joint thus moving the little finger closer to the forearm.

ANKLE JOINT & FOOT Multi-jointed

DORSAL FLEXION: Movement of the foot toward the shin bone (tibia).

PLANTAR FLEXION: Movement of the foot away from the shin bone.

EVERSION: Outward rotation of the foot so that lateral side (little toe side) is lifted off supporting surface.

INVERSION: An inward rotation of the foot so that medial side (big toe side) is lifted off supporting surface.

SPINE Multi-jointed

LATERAL FLEXION (Abduction of the Spine): Lateral movement of the spine away from its normal midline position.

REDUCTION (Adduction of the Spine): Medial movement of the spine returning toward its normal midline position.