General motion

Flexion - Bending movement that Extension - The opposite of flexion; a decreases the angle between two straightening movement that increases parts. Bending the elbow, or the angle between body parts. In a Adjusting clenching a hand into a fist, are conventional handshake, the fingers are angle examples of flexion. When sitting fully extended. When standing up, the between down, the knees are flexed. Flexion knees are extended. Extension of the two parts of the hip or shoulder moves the hip or shoulder moves the limb limb forward (towards the anterior backward (towards the posterior side of side of the body). the body). Abduction - A motion that pulls a Adduction - A motion that pulls a structure or part away from the structure or part towards the midline of midline of the body (or, in the case the body, or towards the midline of a Adjusting of fingers and toes, spreading the limb. Dropping the arms to the sides, or relation to digits apart, away from the centerline bringing the knees together, are midline of of the hand or foot). Abduction of examples of adduction. In the case of body the wrist is called radial deviation. the fingers or toes, adduction is closing Raising the arms laterally, to the the digits together. Adduction of the sides, is an example of abduction. wrist is called ulnar deviation. Internal rotation (or medial External rotation (or lateral rotation) rotation) of the shoulder or hip Rotating is the opposite. It would turn the toes or would point the toes or the flexed body parts the flexed forearm outwards (away forearm inwards (towards the from the midline). midline).

Special motions of the hands and feet

Pronation - A rotation of the forearm Supination - The opposite of that moves the palm from an anterior- pronation, the rotation of the rotation of facing position to a posterior-facing forearm so that the palm faces the forearm position, or palm facing down. This is anteriorly, or palm facing up. The not medial rotation as this must be hand is supine (facing anteriorly) in performed when the arm is half flexed. the anatomical position.

Plantarflexion - Flexion of the flexion of Dorsiflexion - Flexion of the entire entire foot inferiorly, as if pressing the entire foot superiorly, as if taking one's foot an automobile pedal. Occurs at foot off an automobile pedal. ankle. movement Inversion - the movement of the Eversion - the movement of the sole of of the sole sole towards the median plane (same the foot away from the median plane. of the foot as when an ankle is twisted).