 | Term | Definition |
| |
abduction |
The movement of a body part away from the midline. |
| |
adduction |
The movement of a body part toward the midline. |
| |
circumduction |
The process of moving a body part in a circular motion. |
| |
dorsiflexion |
The process of bending a body part backwards like the toes of the feet. |
| |
eversion |
The process of turning outward, such as the sole of the foot turning toward the outside of the body. |
| |
extension |
The process of straightening a flexed limb. |
| |
flexion |
The process of bending (or curving) the spine. |
| |
inversion |
The process of turning inward, such as turning the sole of the foot toward the midline. |
| |
pronation |
The process of lying prone of face down; or the process of turning the palm of the hand face down. |
| |
protraction |
The process of moving a body part forward; such as moving the jaw forward. |
| |
retraction |
The process of moving a body part backward; such as moving the jaw backward. |
| |
rotation |
The process of moving a body part around a central axis; such as in turning the head. |
| |
supination |
The process of lying supine or face upward; also turning the palm of the hand so the palm faces upward. |
