Which term describes posterior displacement of a portion of the body without angular movement?

• A. Protraction
• B. Inversion
• C. Retraction
• D. Eversion

Answer: (C)

Retraction is moving a body part backward toward the spine without changing the joint’s angle. That backward shift happens as a translation rather than a rotation, so no angular movement occurs. For example, pulling the scapulae back toward the midline is scapular retraction, and sliding the lower jaw straight back is mandibular retraction. In contrast, protraction is the forward (anterior) movement, while inversion and eversion are movements of the foot that tilt the sole inward or outward, involving rotation rather than a posterior translation.