movement descriptors

terms used to describe movements and/or directions of movement

abduction

moving a body part away from the midline

adduction

moving a body part toward the midline

circumduction

moving a body part in a circular motion

depression

moving a body part in an inferior direction (mostly used in reference to the shoulders)

elevation

moving a body part in a superior direction (mostly used in reference to the shoulders)

dorsiflexion

moving the dorsal aspect of the foot upward

plantarflexion

moving the plantar aspect of the foot downward

eversion

turning the plantar aspect of the foot away from the midline (outward)

inversion

turning the plantar aspect of the foot toward the midline (inward)

flexion

bending movement that decreases the joint angle

extension

straightening movement that increases the joint angle

hyperextension

excessive extension of a body part at a joint, moving beyond normal anatomical position

pronation

turning the hand so the palm faces downward (may also be used with foot/ankle motion)

Supination

turning the hand so the palm faces upward (may also be used with foot/ankle motion)

protraction

moving a body part forward (generally referencing the scapula-moving the arms anterior at the shoulder)

retraction

moving a body part backward (generally referencing the scapula-moving the arms posterior at the shoulder)

internal rotation

rotation of the hip or shoulders toward the midline

external rotation

rotation of the hip or shoulders away from the midline

rotation

turning on a single axis