Joint Movements

1.

Flexion

A movement decreasing the angle between articulating bones.
(Some texts express this as "decreasing the inner angle of the joint".)

1. Ball and socket
2. Condyloid
3. Hinge
4. Pivot
5. Saddle

2.

Extension

A movement increasing the angle between articulating bones.
Another way to express this is "increasing the inner angle of the joint".

1. Ball and socket
2. Condyloid
3. Hinge
4. Pivot
5. Saddle

3.

Hyperextension

A movement to increase the angle between articulating bones to take a body-part or limb beyond its normal range.

Some of the types of joints that can permit extension (above).

4.

Abduction

A movement away from the mid-line of the body.

1. Ball and socket
2. Condyloid
3. Saddle

5.

Adduction

A movement towards the mid-line of the body - also applies to movements inwards and across the body.

1. Ball and socket
2. Condyloid
3. Saddle

6.

Circumduction

A conical movement of a limb extending from the joint (e.g. shoulder or hip) at which the movement is controlled. True circumduction allows for 360^o of movement.

1. Ball and socket
   e.g. shoulder and hip

Short Definition

7.

Rotation

A movement in which something, e.g. a bone or a whole limb, pivots or revolves around a single long axis.

1. Ball and socket
2. Pivot

Short Definition

8.

Elevation

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).

• Shrugging shoulders; to elevation of the scapula

9.

Depression

The downward movement of structures of the body, e.g. depression of a shoulder joint lowers the corresponding arm vertically downwards.

• Opening the mouth by moving the jaw down; depression of the mandible.

10.

Protraction

The movement of a body part in the anterior direction, i.e. forwards.

• Crossing arms; protraction of clavicles.

11.

Retraction

The movement of a body part in the posterior direction, i.e. backwards.
(Also movement of a protracted body part back to the anatomical position.)

• Uncrossing arms and allowing them to rest at either side of the body; retraction of clavicles.

12.

Eversion

A movement in which the plantar surface of the foot rotates away from the mid-line of the body. Another way to describe this movement is to say that the plantar surface (sole) of the foot turns laterally, i.e. turns outwards.

• Eversion of the soles of the feet so that they turn outwards to face away from each other.

13.

Inversion

A movement in which the plantar surface (sole) of the foot rotates towards the mid-line of the body. Another way to describe this movement is to say that the plantar surface (sole) of the foot turns medially, i.e. turns inwards.

• Inversion of the soles of the feet so that they turn inwards towards each other.

14.

Dorsiflexion

Backward flexion (bending), as of the hand or foot.
This can also be described as bending in the direction of the dorsum (dorsum = upper surface = "superior" surface, i.e. the surface of the foot or hand that includes the toe nails or finger nails).

• Bending the foot as when standing on ones heels (see video of dorsiflexion).

15.

Plantarflexion

Forwards flexion or bending, as of the hand or foot.
For example, flexion of the foot/ankle means rotating the toes downwards (away from the leg to which the ankle and foot is attached).

• Bending the foot as when standing on ones toes (see video of plantar flexion).

16.

Pronation

A movement that can be performed by the lower-arm/wrist and also by the ankle/foot. The action of pronation can be described for each:

• Movement of a forearm to turn the palm of the attached hand backwards or downwards (depending on the position of the rest of the arm at the time). See video of pronation of the forearm.

• pronation of the forearm is rotation of the forearm turning the palm of the hand inwards towards the body , i.e. turning the palm inferiorly or posteriorly (the opposite of supination of the forearm).
• pronation of the foot is one of the normal movements made by the foot to absorb its impact onto the ground when walking or running.

17.

Supination

A movement that can occur (in different ways) at the lower-arm and wrist and also the foot/ankle. Supination can be described for each case:

• Movement of a forearm to turn the palm of the attached hand forwards or upwards (depending on the position of the rest of the arm at the time). See video of supination of the forearm.

• supination of the forearm = rotation of the forearm turning the palm of the hand outwards so that it faces away from the body, i.e. turning the palm superiorly (= upwards) or anteriorly (= forwards).
  
• supination of the foot is an excessive outward rolling motion of the foot and ankle when walking or running.