To move toward the midline of the body, or a body part, is called what movement?

To move toward the midline of the body, or a body part, is called what movement?

• A. Abduction
• B. Extension
• C. Flexion
• D. Adduction

Answer: (D)

Adduction is moving toward the midline of the body or a body part. It’s an inward movement that brings a limb closer to the center of the body. This contrasts with abduction, which moves a limb away from the midline. For example, bringing the arms down from a raised position to your sides or squeezing the legs together from a wider stance are adduction movements. In the same family of joint actions, flexion and extension describe changes in joint angle: flexion bends a joint to decrease the angle between bones, while extension straightens a joint to increase that angle. Understanding these terms helps in assessing how joints should move during examinations and in recognizing abnormal movement patterns.

Adduction is moving toward the midline of the body or a body part. It’s an inward movement that brings a limb closer to the center of the body. This contrasts with abduction, which moves a limb away from the midline. For example, bringing the arms down from a raised position to your sides or squeezing the legs together from a wider stance are adduction movements.

In the same family of joint actions, flexion and extension describe changes in joint angle: flexion bends a joint to decrease the angle between bones, while extension straightens a joint to increase that angle. Understanding these terms helps in assessing how joints should move during examinations and in recognizing abnormal movement patterns.