Anatomical MovementsAnatomical Movements

FLEXIONFLEXIONBending or decreasing the angle between two Bending or decreasing the angle between two

bones.bones.

Examples:Examples:

Trunk: Bending forwards (sideways – lateral flexion)Trunk: Bending forwards (sideways – lateral flexion)

Shoulder: Moving the arm forward.Shoulder: Moving the arm forward.

Arm: Bending at the elbow.Arm: Bending at the elbow.

Wrist: Bringing the palm towards the forearm.Wrist: Bringing the palm towards the forearm.

Hip: Raising the thigh towards the trunk.Hip: Raising the thigh towards the trunk.

Knee: Bending at the knee.Knee: Bending at the knee.

Extension:Extension:Straightening or increasing the angle between two Straightening or increasing the angle between two

bones.bones.

Examples:Examples:

Trunk: Straightening up.Trunk: Straightening up.

Shoulder: Moving the arm backward.Shoulder: Moving the arm backward.

Arm: Straightening the elbow.Arm: Straightening the elbow.

Wrist: Straightening the wrist.Wrist: Straightening the wrist.

Hip: Moving the leg backward.Hip: Moving the leg backward.

Knee: Straightening the knee.Knee: Straightening the knee.

Abduction:Abduction:Moving a limb or part of a limb away from Moving a limb or part of a limb away from

the midline of the body.the midline of the body.

Example: Example:

Moving outwards on a starjump.Moving outwards on a starjump.

AdductionAdductionMoving a limb or part of a limb towards the Moving a limb or part of a limb towards the

midline of the body.midline of the body.

Example: Example:

Bringing the limbs back together in a Bringing the limbs back together in a starjump.starjump.

Circumduction:Circumduction:

A combination of flexion, extension, A combination of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction.abduction and adduction.

The movement of a limb resembles the The movement of a limb resembles the shape of a cone.shape of a cone.

Example:Example:

The armstroke in butterfly.The armstroke in butterfly.

RotationRotation

Twisting of a limb about its long axis.Twisting of a limb about its long axis.

Example:Example:

Turning the headTurning the head

Twisting the trunk.Twisting the trunk.

SupinationMovement of the hand into a palm-up position. (where supine is face- up)Examples: Turning a card over in cardsTurning a page in a book.

PronationMovement of the hand into a palm-down position.(where prone is face down.Examples:Turning a card face down.Closing a book.

InversionInversion

Movement of the sole of the foot Movement of the sole of the foot inward.inward.

EversionEversion

Movement of the sole of the foot Movement of the sole of the foot outward.outward.

DorsiflexionDorsiflexionMovement of the top of the foot upward, closer to the Movement of the top of the foot upward, closer to the

shin.shin.

PlantarflexionPlantarflexionMovement of the sole Movement of the sole

of the foot downward.of the foot downward.

Pointing the toes.Pointing the toes.