Which term describes movement toward the midline of the body?

• A. Abduction
• B. Adduction
• C. Flexion
• D. Extension

Answer: (B)

Adduction describes movement toward the midline of the body. The midline is the center axis of the body, so bringing a limb closer to that line—such as guiding the arm in from the side to hug the chest or bringing the thighs together—the limb is adducting. The opposite movement, moving away from the midline, is abduction (like raising the arm or spreading the fingers outward).

Flexion and extension refer to how joints change angle between bones rather than toward or away from the midline. Flexion bends a joint and reduces the angle, while extension straightens a joint and increases the angle.