Definition of Elevation (in the context of a term to describe a movement of the body):
Elevation is the upward movement of structures of the body.
For example, elevation of a shoulder joint raises the corresponding arm vertically upwards (as opposed to outwards to the side or in any other direction). |
The movement of elevation is the opposite of the movement of depression.
The word elevation may be used to describe a movement so it could be used in a phrase such as "elevation of the shoulder girdle involves several muscles".
A muscle whose action (or one of its main actions) is the elevation of a structure of the body such as bones or tissues is called a levator.
An example of a levator muscle is the levator scapula ("levator scapulae" in the plural - as there are two of these muscles, one on either side of the neck) which is involved in raising the shoulder blade, which is called the scapula (bone).
Examples of Elevation:
- Elevation of the shoulder girdle:
The action of shrugging the shoulders is an example of elevation of the shoulder girdle. The muscles involved in elevating the shoulder girdle are the upper fibers of trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboid major and rhomboid minor.
- Elevation of the hip:
Hip elevation is simply raising one hip vertically upwards. This is most easily demonstrated by standing on the edge of a step - as shown in the following video clip.
