Movement Terms

Question 1

Flexion

Answer 1

The decrease in the angle of two articulating bones in the sagittal plane.
eg: parallel passé/retire

Question 2

Extension

Answer 2

The increase in the angle of two articulating bones in the sagittal plane.
eg: extending leg from parallel passé/retire

Question 3

Abduction

Answer 3

Movement in frontal plane. Bone/limb moves away from the midline of the body.
eg: Lifting arm to second position, moving leg to the side (first to second)

Question 4

Adduction

Answer 4

Movement in the frontal plane. Bone/limb moves towards the midline of the body.
eg: Lowering arms from second position, moving leg from side to neutral

Question 5

Outward Rotation
(lateral/external)

Answer 5

The movement of a bone around its own axis away from the midline of the body.
eg: Rotation in the hip such as standing in first position

Question 6

Inward Rotation 
(medial/internal)

Answer 6

The movement of a bone around its own axis towards the midline of the body.
eg: Arms in second position

Question 7

Pronation

Answer 7

Used for both radioulnar joint and foot. In the forearm the palm turned to face backward. In the foot, the outside edge moves toward the lateral bone.

eg: When standing the foot rolls inward placing most of the weight onto the inside of the foot and lowering the arch.

Question 8

Supination

Answer 8

Used for both radioulnar joint and foot. In forearm the palm is turned to face forwards. In the foot, the inner edge is moved towards the medial ankle bone.

eg: When standing the foot rolls outwards lifting the arch and sickling the foot.

Question 9

Plantar Flexion

Answer 9

Bending the ankle joint in the sagittal plane. Toes move away from shinbone

eg: Pointing foot

Question 10

Dorsiflexion

Answer 10

Bending the ankle joint in sagittal planes. Toes move toward shinbone

eg: flexing foot/plies

Question 11

Spine Roatation

Answer 11

Turning of the spine on its vertical axis.

eg: spotting in turns

Question 12

Horizontal Flexion

Answer 12

Movement of the arms that starts in 90 degrees of abduction and moves forward in transverse plane.

eg: Moving arm from second to first arabesque

Question 13

Horizontal Extension

Answer 13

Movement of the arm that starts in 90 degrees of flexion and moves backwards into transverse plane

eg: Moving arm from first arabesque to second position

Question 14

Elevation

Answer 14

Upward movement of scapula

eg: shrugging shoulders

Question 15

Depression

Answer 15

Downward movement of scapula

eg: dropping shoulders to neutral

Question 16

Upward Rotation

Answer 16

Rotation of scapula bottom of scapula is moved upwards.

eg: movement of arms from second to fifth position

Question 17

Downward Rotation

Answer 17

Rotation of scapula bottom of scapula is moved downwards.

eg: movement of arms from fifth to second and back to neutral

Question 18

Protraction

Answer 18

Moving scapula away from spine toward the front of the rib cage

eg: rounding shoulders forward

Question 19

Retraction

Answer 19

Moving scapula toward the spine and away from the front of the rib cage

eg: opening shoulders from rounded position

Question 20

Lateral flexion

Answer 20

Movement of spine in frontal plane to the left or right

eg: side bending

Question 21

Circumduction

Answer 21

Movement that create a complete circle. Occurs as a the result of a continuous sequence of flexion, abdunction, extension and adduction.