Movement terms describe what a joint does, always starting from anatomical position. Most of them come in opposing pairs.
Flexion and extension
Flexion bends a joint and usually decreases the angle between the bones, as in bending the elbow. Extension straightens it, and hyperextension goes past the straight line.
Abduction and adduction
Abduction moves a limb away from the midline, as when you raise the arm out to the side. Adduction brings it back toward the midline.
Rotation and circumduction
Rotation turns a bone around its own long axis, inward (internal or medial) or outward (external or lateral). Circumduction combines several movements so the limb traces a cone.
Special movements
Pronation turns the palm down and supination turns it up. In the foot, dorsiflexion lifts the toes up, plantar flexion points them down, inversion turns the sole inward and eversion turns it outward.
| Pair | First movement | Second movement |
|---|---|---|
| Flexion / extension | Bends the joint | Straightens the joint |
| Abduction / adduction | Away from the midline | Toward the midline |
| Pronation / supination | Palm down | Palm up |
| Dorsiflexion / plantar flexion | Toes up | Toes down |
| Inversion / eversion | Sole inward | Sole outward |
At the bedside
Record range of motion with these terms and in degrees, for example knee flexion to 120 degrees. Comparing with the other side shows what is normal for that patient.
Related guides
Written by Making Synapses. Topic reference: OpenStax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e (no text adapted).