Which term describes movement away from the body's midline, often at shoulder or hip?

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Multiple Choice

Which term describes movement away from the body's midline, often at shoulder or hip?

Abduction is movement away from the body's midline. When you lift a limb out to the side—like raising the arm laterally away from the trunk or moving a leg outward away from the midline—you’re performing abduction. At the shoulder and hip, this action is commonly described and used in everyday movements, with primary muscles including the deltoid and supraspinatus for the shoulder, and the gluteus medius and minimus for the hip. This motion occurs in the frontal (coronal) plane and increases the distance between the limb and the midline of the body.

In contrast, flexion decreases the angle at a joint (for example, bending the elbow or bending the shoulder forward), extension increases the angle (straightening a joint). Adduction brings a limb toward the midline, such as lowering the arm to the side or crossing the legs.

Which term describes movement away from the body's midline, often at shoulder or hip?

Study for your anatomy test with Netter's Anatomy Practice Test. Utilize questions and illustrated guides to master human anatomy and ace your exam!

Which term describes movement away from the body's midline, often at shoulder or hip?

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