Types of Body Movements
Movements in general at synovial joints are divided into four main categories: Gliding, Angular, Rotational, and Special movements.
Gliding Movements
Flat bone surfaces slide or glide over each other. The angle between articulating bones does not change significantly.
Examples:
- Movement between carpals in the wrist
- Movement between tarsal bones
- Sternoclavicular joint (between sternum and clavicle)
Angular Movements
Movements that increase or decrease the angle between two bones.
| Movement | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Flexion | Decreases the angle between two bones | Bending the elbow |
| Extension | Increases the angle between two bones | Straightening the elbow |
| Hyperextension | Extension beyond normal anatomical position | Bending neck backward |
| Abduction | Movement away from the midline | Raising arm sideways |
| Adduction | Movement toward the midline | Lowering arm to body |
| Circumduction | Circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction and adduction | Arm rotation at shoulder |
Rotational Movements
A bone revolves around its own longitudinal axis.
Types:
- Medial Rotation: Rotation toward the midline
- Lateral Rotation: Rotation away from the midline
Special Movements
These occur only at specific joints and are not part of the above categories.
| Movement | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Elevation | Movement of a body part upward | Shrugging shoulders |
| Depression | Movement of a body part downward | Lowering shoulders |
| Protraction | Movement of a body part forward | Protracting the jaw |
| Retraction | Movement of a body part backward | Pulling jaw backward |
| Inversion | Sole of foot turns inward | Foot movement inward |
| Eversion | Sole of foot turns outward | Foot movement outward |
| Dorsiflexion | Foot moves upward | Standing on heels |
| Plantar Flexion | Foot moves downward | Standing on toes |
| Supination | Palm faces upward | Holding soup bowl |
| Pronation | Palm faces downward | Typing on keyboard |
| Opposition | Thumb touches fingertips | Holding a pen |
| Reposition | Return of thumb to original position | Releasing grip |
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