Human Anatomy Joint Movements Flashcards

Joint Movements Overview

• Flexion decreases the angle between articulating bones.
• Lateral Flexion moves the trunk left or right along the frontal plane.
• Extension increases the angle between articulating bones, often restoring a body part to its anatomical position.
• Hyperextension continues extension beyond the anatomical position.

Abduction and Adduction

• Abduction moves a bone away from the body's midline.
• Adduction moves a bone toward the body's midline.

Circumduction and Rotation

• Circumduction involves moving the distal end of a body part in a circular motion.
• Rotation revolves a bone around its own longitudinal axis, with variations in lateral and medial rotation.

Movements of Elevation and Depression

• Elevation involves an upward movement of body parts.
• Depression describes a downward movement of body parts.

Protraction and Retraction

• Protraction moves a part of the body anteriorly in the transverse plane.
• Retraction returns a protracted body part to its anatomical position.

Forearm Movements

• Pronation turns the palm of the forearm posteriorly.
• Supination turns the palm of the forearm anteriorly.

Thumb Movements

• Opposition involves thumb movement across the palm to touch fingertips.
• Reposition returns the thumb to its anatomical position.

Foot Movements

• Dorsiflexion bends the foot towards the dorsum or superior surface.
• Plantar Flexion bends the foot towards the plantar or inferior surface.
• Inversion rotates the sole of the foot medially (inward).
• Eversion rotates the sole of the foot laterally (outward).

Specific Joint Movements

• Flexion, extension, and hyperextension of the Atlanto-occipital and cervical intervertebral joints describe movements of the neck.
• Rotation at the Atlanto-axial joint allows head movement.
• Elevation and depression at the temporomandibular joint control jaw movement.
• Flexion and extension describe movements at shoulder and elbow joints.
• Wrist joint movements include flexion, extension, hyperextension, abduction, and adduction.

Metacarpophalangeal Movements

• Abduction and adduction at the metacarpophalangeal joints involve movement of the fingers away from or towards the midline of the hand.