Short definition of Adduction:
Adduction is movement towards the mid-line of the body - also applies to movements inwards and across the body. |
That is, movement of the right arm inwards (so to the left) towards or even past the centre of the body would be adduction of the right arm.
The word adduction is used to describe a movement and could be used in a phrase such as:
"an example of adduction of the hip is when the femur (upper-leg bone) moves from a position pointing outwards from the centre of the body e.g. right femur extended out to the right side, inwards towards or across the centre of the body."
It is useful to know other words related to adduction, including:
- adductor - a muscle that can act to cause an adduction movement is called an adductor. An example of an adductor is the adductor longus muscle of the upper-leg.
- to adduct (verb) - e.g. "he adducted his left leg in front of and past his right leg while standing straight up balanced on his right leg only".
Examples of Adduction:
- Adduction of an arm:
Movement of one straight arm from a position extending outwards horizontally from the shoulder so that the wrist is held at about the same height as the shoulder joint downwards from the shoulder joint so that the wrist moves through approximately 90 degress tracing the shape of approximately a quarter circle until the still-straight arm reaches a vertical position with the hand and wrist downwards resting by the side of the leg on the same side of the body. This movement has the effect of bringing the hand and wrist closer to the mid-line of the body, by a horizonal distance of approximately the length of the arm.
- Adduction of a leg:
Movement of a straight leg towards or past the mid-line of the body, that is movement of a straight right leg to the left (or a left leg to the right) by rotating the leg at the hip joint.
There are other possibilities, these are just a few simple examples.
