MOVEMENT & ANATOMICAL PLANES

Question 1

What is flexion?

Answer 1

Flexion is a movement that decreases the angle between two body parts, typically occurring in the sagittal plane. Example: Bending the elbow reduces the angle between the humerus and forearm.

Question 2

What is extension?

Answer 2

Extension increases the angle between two body parts, returning a flexed joint to its anatomical position. Example: Straightening the knee after flexion.

Question 3

How does hyperextension differ from extension?

Answer 3

Hyperextension occurs when a joint extends beyond its normal range of motion, often past the anatomical position. Example: Bending the neck backward beyond neutral.

Question 4

What is dorsiflexion, and in which joint does it occur?

Answer 4

Dorsiflexion is the movement of the foot superiorly, reducing the angle between the dorsum of the foot and the shin. It occurs at the ankle (talocrural joint).

Question 5

Define plantarflexion.

Answer 5

Plantarflexion is the movement that increases the angle between the dorsum of the foot and the shin, pushing the toes downward. It occurs at the ankle joint.

Question 6

What is the primary movement occurring at the hip during leg abduction?

Answer 6

Abduction, which is the movement of the femur away from the midline in the coronal plane.

Question 7

What is the opposite of abduction?

Answer 7

Adduction, which moves a limb toward the body’s midline.

Question 8

Describe circumduction and provide an example of where it occurs.

Answer 8

Circumduction is a circular movement involving a combination of flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. It occurs at ball-and-socket joints like the shoulder and hip.

Question 9

What is medial rotation, and which major joints allow it?

Answer 9

Medial rotation is the inward rotation of a limb toward the midline. It occurs at the shoulder (glenohumeral joint) and hip (acetabulofemoral joint).

Question 10

How does lateral rotation differ from medial rotation?

Answer 10

Lateral rotation is the outward movement of a limb, away from the midline, occurring at the same joints as medial rotation (shoulder and hip).

Question 11

Define supination

Answer 11

Supination is the rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces anteriorly (or upward in anatomical position), resulting from lateral rotation of the radius over the ulna.

Question 12

What is pronation, and in which joint does it primarily occur?

Answer 12

Pronation is the medial rotation of the forearm, causing the palm to face posteriorly. It occurs at the proximal and distal radioulnar joints.

Question 13

What is inversion, and which joint does it involve?

Answer 13

Inversion is the movement of the sole of the foot toward the midline, primarily occurring at the subtalar and transverse tarsal joints.

Question 14

What is eversion?

Answer 14

Eversion is the movement of the sole of the foot away from the midline, occurring at the subtalar and transverse tarsal joints.

Question 15

Define protrusion and give an anatomical example.

Answer 15

Protrusion is the anterior movement of a structure, such as pushing the mandible forward at the temporomandibular joint.

Question 16

What is retrusion?

Answer 16

Retrusion is the posterior movement of a structure, such as pulling the mandible backward to its resting position.

Question 17

Why is excessive dorsiflexion uncommon in normal gait?

Answer 17

The range of dorsiflexion is limited by passive tension in the Achilles tendon and plantar flexor muscles, preventing excessive forward tibial movement during walking.

Question 18

Which movement is commonly restricted in individuals with plantar fasciitis?

Answer 18

Dorsiflexion, due to tightness in the plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles.

Question 19

Which movement is tested when assessing ACL injuries in the knee?

Answer 19

Anterior translation of the tibia relative to the femur (knee extension) is tested, often with the anterior drawer or Lachman’s test.

Question 20

What is a common clinical consequence of excessive inversion at the ankle?

Answer 20

Lateral ankle sprains, typically involving the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL).

Question 21

Why do gymnasts and dancers develop greater-than-average hyperextension in certain joints?

Answer 21

Repetitive stretching and training promote increased laxity in ligaments, allowing for greater joint mobility.

Question 22

What movement is lost if the radial nerve is damaged, affecting wrist function?

Answer 22

Wrist extension, leading to wrist drop.

Question 23

How does excessive supination affect running biomechanics?

Answer 23

It reduces shock absorption, increasing stress on the lateral structures of the foot and predisposing to injuries such as stress fractures.

Question 24

Which movement is often impaired in patients with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)?

Answer 24

Shoulder abduction, due to capsular fibrosis and restricted glenohumeral joint motion.

Question 25

Why is circumduction useful in cases of limited joint mobility?

Answer 25

It allows functional movement despite restrictions in individual planes of motion by combining multiple movements.

Question 26

Compare the anatomical planes: sagittal, coronal, and transverse.

Answer 26

The sagittal plane divides the body into left and right, the coronal plane into anterior and posterior, and the transverse plane into superior and inferior sections.

Question 27

How do flexion and extension differ in the sagittal plane?

Answer 27

Flexion decreases the joint angle, while extension increases it, both occurring along the sagittal plane.

Question 28

Which anatomical plane divides the body into anterior and posterior halves?

Answer 28

The coronal plane.

Question 29

What movement occurs in the coronal plane but not the sagittal plane?

Answer 29

Abduction and adduction.

Question 30

Explain how supination and pronation differ in terms of radius and ulna movement.

Answer 30

In supination, the radius and ulna are parallel, whereas in pronation, the radius crosses over the ulna.

Question 31

Why does medial rotation at the hip reduce the foot’s outward angle when walking?

Answer 31

Medial rotation of the femur shifts the knee and foot medially, decreasing external foot orientation.

Question 32

Compare dorsiflexion and plantarflexion in terms of muscle activation.

Answer 32

Dorsiflexion primarily involves the tibialis anterior, whereas plantarflexion relies on the gastrocnemius and soleus.

Question 33

How do inversion and eversion differ biomechanically?

Answer 33

Inversion moves the sole medially, stressing lateral ankle ligaments, while eversion moves it laterally, stressing medial ligaments.

Question 34

Why does dorsiflexion become more difficult with aging?

Answer 34

Loss of elasticity in tendons and joint capsule stiffness reduce dorsiflexion range of motion.

Question 35

How does an athlete’s ability to extend the knee influence their performance in jumping?

Answer 35

Full knee extension allows for maximal force generation from the quadriceps, optimizing jump height.

Question 36

Why does lateral rotation of the shoulder improve throwing accuracy?

Answer 36

It increases the range of motion and generates greater power through external rotator activation.

Question 37

Which anatomical plane is most relevant in assessing spinal flexion disorders?

Answer 37

The sagittal plane

Question 38

Why does the ability to hyperextend vary between individuals?

Answer 38

Genetic factors influence ligament laxity, joint structure, and muscle flexibility.

Question 39

How does forward head posture relate to retrusion and protrusion movements?

Answer 39

Forward head posture results in excessive protrusion of the mandible and cervical vertebrae.

Question 40

What would happen if the ankle joint lost all inversion and eversion movement?

Answer 40

The foot would lose adaptability on uneven surfaces, increasing injury risk and balance issues.