Chapter 2 Vocabulary
Body Movements
Flexion - A bending movement around a joint; also, a forward movement
Extension - Astraightening movement around a joint; also, a backward movement
Abduction - Movement away from the midline of the body
Adduction - Movement toward the midline of the body
Pronation - Turns the palm of the hand upward or facing forward
Supination - Turns the palm of the hand downward or facing backward
Inversion - The sole of the foot is turned inward
Eversion - The sole of the foot is turned outward
Protraction - A segment (bone) glides forwards
Retraction - A segment (bone) glides backwards
Rotation - The spinning or turning movement of a bony segment around an axis
Circumduction - The movement of anextremity in a circular pattern
Plantarflexion - The ankle moves greater than 90 degrees, the foot moves towards the plantar side of the foot
Dorsiflexion - The ankle moves to less than 90 degrees, the foot moves towards the dorsal side of the foot
Wrist deviation - The hand moves towards either the ulna bone or the radial bone at the wrist
Terms of Location– terms used to describe a particular spot on the body
Anterior - Towards the front side of the body
Posterior - Towards the backside of the body
Medial - A body part that is facing towards/closer to the midline of the body
Lateral - A body part that is facing away/further from the midline of the body
Superior - A body part above another part
Inferior - A body part below another part
Deep - The innermost layers of the body
Superficial - The outermost layers of the body
Proximal - An area on an extremity that is closer to the trunk
Distal - An area on an extremity that is further away from the trunk