Download Terminology

Terms of Movements
by
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Imran Qureshi
Three systems of the body work in
coordination to perform various
movements of the body. These are:
A System of Bones (Osteology),
positive along the Y direction. In YZ
planes (Frontal / Coronal), angles are
measured from 0o in the Y direction and
positive along the Z direction.
A System of Muscles (Myology), and
Flexion and Extension
A system of Joints (Arthrology)
The study of Analysis of various body
movements is called “Kinesiology”
Flexion and Extension are the
movements that take place along the Xaxis (in sagittal plane).
Movements in the body take place at
joints where two or more bones meet.
Some joints have no movements
(sutures of skull), some have slight
movements (superior tibiofibular joint)
and some are freely movable joints
(shoulder joint).
These movements take place as a result
of muscular contractions (Which act as
levers for the bones.
Terms of Movements
Figure 2: Flexion, Extension & Hyperextension
Flexion: It is a bending movement
across a joint.
The angle between the bones of the
Figure 1: Axes of Movements
These movements take place along
THREE axis (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis)
or any combination of these axis)
Angles in XY planes (Sagittal) are
measured from 0o in the X direction and
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Figure 3: Flexion & Extension at Elbow
joint is reduced.
As a result of this movement, the flexor
surfaces approximate or tend to
Figure 6: Flexion & Extension of Thumb
Figure 4: Flexion & Extension at Shoulder
approximate.
Flexion and Extension are the
movements that take place along the Xaxis (in sagittal plane).
Extension: It is a straightening
movement across a joint.
The angle between the bones of the
joint is increased.
Figure 7: Flexion & Extension at Wrist
As a result of this movement, the
extensor surfaces tend to approximate.
Flexion and Extension (In Hand)
In hand dorsiflexion and palmar flexion
occur at wrist joint. Dorsiflexion is in fact
extension of the hand at wrist joint.
Similarly, Palmar flexion is in fact flexion
of hand at wrist joint.
Figure 5: Flexion & Extension of Fingers
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Figure 8: Flexion & Extension at Hip
Figure 9: Flexion & Extension at Knee
Flexion and Extension (In Foot)
Dorsiflexion is flexion at the ankle joint.
The angle between the dorsum of the
foot and the anterior surface of leg is
reduced.
Such an injury is known as “whiplash”
injury.
Abduction and Adduction
Abduction and Adduction are the
movements that take place along the zaxis (in coronal plane).
Abduction is the movement away from
the median plane. The part of the body
that moves away from the median plane
is said to be abducted
Figure 10: Dorsiflexion & Plantarflexion
Adduction is the movement towards
the median plane. The part of the body
that moves towards the median plane is
said to be adducted
It is seen when we walk uphill or while
putting the heel of advancing foot on the
ground while walking.
Plantarflexion is a movement at the
ankle, which turns the foot or toes
towards the sole (plantar surface)
It is seen when we stand on our toes or
lift the toes of the rear foot off the
ground while walking.
Figure 11: Flexion & Extension of Toes
Figure 12: Abduction & Adduction at Shoulder
Figure 13: Abduction & Adduction at Hip
In the trunk straightening out from a
forward bending position is “extension”.
“Hyperextension” is extension of a limb
or trunk beyond the normal limit.
Such movements can sometimes cause
injury.
This is seen when an automobile is hit
from behind and the neck rapidly hyperextends.
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Figure 14: Abduction & Adduction at Wrist
At the wrist, abduction is known as
‘radial deviation’, because the hand
moves towards the thumb (radial) side;
whereas adduction is known as ‘ulnar
deviation’ because the hand moves
towards the little finger (ulnar) side.
In case of the hand, the axis for
abduction and adduction for fingers
passes through the MIDDLE FINGER.
When the fingers move away from the
middle finger, they are said to be
This movement is used for precision
acts like pinching, buttoning a shirt,
holding a key, making fine strokes of a
paint brush etc.
Reposition: It is the reverse of
opposition. The thumb is brought back
to the anatomical position
Circumduction
It is the combination of the movements
of Flexion, Abduction, Extension, and
Adduction in that sequence.
Figure 14: Abduction & Adduction of the Fingers
abducted and vice versa.
In case of the thumb, it is adducted
when it lies by the side of the palm and
abducted when it stands out at right
angle to the surface of the palm.
In other words, the plane along which,
the fingers abduct and adduct is the
same along which the thumb flexes
and extends (coronal) and the plane
along which, the fingers flex and
extend is the same along which the
thumb abducts and adducts
(Sagittal).
Figure 15: Circumduction at Shoulder
Classically it takes place at shoulder
and the first carpometacarpal joints.
Rotation
Rotation is the term applied to the
movement of a part of the body around
Opposition & Reposition
Another set of movements of the thumb,
unique in the human beings is
Opposition and Reposition.
Opposition: In this movement, the pulp
/ pad of the thumb is brought against the
pulp / pad of another digit.
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Figure 16: Rotation of the Head
its longitudinal axis.
For example, turning or revolving the
head to the side.
In the limbs, rotation involves a
movement of the anterior surface.
Medial rotation is the movement as a
result of which the anterior surface of
the part of the limb faces medially. This
is also called internal rotation.
The working position of the forearm is
mid prone.
Figure 19: Supination & Pronation
Figure 17: Medial & Lateral Rotation of the arm
Lateral rotation is the movement as a
result of which the anterior surface of
the part of the limb faces laterally. This
(always at radioulnar joints)
Elevation & Depression
These movements take place along the
Y-axis
Elevation: The part of the body raises
up or moves superiorly such as raising
the shoulders while shrugging, closing
of an open mouth by moving the
mandible superiorly.
Depression: The part of the body
lowers down or moves inferiorly, e.g.
lowering the shoulder downward or
moving the mandible inferiorly while
opening the mouth.
Figure 18: Medial & Lateral Rotation of the leg
Inversion is the movement of the foot.
is also called external rotation.
Supination & Pronation
These terms are used in context with
the Forearm.
Supination of the forearm is the normal
anatomical position of the forearm. In
this position, both the bones of the
forearm lie parallel to one another and
the palm faces anteriorly
Pronation is the movement in which the
radius crosses the ulna diagonally, as a
result of which, the palm faces
posteriorly.
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Figure 20: Inversion & Eversion of the Foot
In this movement, the medial
longitudinal arch is raised and the sole
faces medially.
a cavity.
A fully inverted foot is also plantar
flexed.
Eversion is the opposite movement of
the foot.
In this movement, the lateral longitudinal
arch is raised and the sole faces
laterally.
An everted foot is also dorsiflexed.
The movements of inversion and
eversion enable us to walk on uneven
surfaces.
Protraction & Retraction
Protraction is a movement in the
forward direction.
For example, a forward movement of
the shoulder seen when pushing against
resistance (pushing an automobile) or
punching an opponent during a boxing
match.
Protraction is also seen in mandible.
The forward movement of mandible is
also called protrusion.
Retraction is a movement in the
backward direction.
For example, posterior movements of
shoulder and mandible. Retraction of
mandible is also called retrusion.
These terms are used to describe the
forward and backward movements of
the jaw and shoulders at the
temporomandibular and sternoclavicular
joints respectively.
Both these joints have articular discs in
their synovial cavities.
Invagination and Evagination: An
inward or outward bulging of the wall of
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Figure 21: Invagination & Evagination