Which term describes turning a bone or limb around its long axis medially toward the midline?

• A. Lateral Rotation
• B. Flexion
• C. Medial Rotation
• D. Adduction

Answer: (C)

Medial rotation describes turning a bone or limb around its long axis toward the midline. This internal rotation changes the orientation of the distal part with respect to the proximal part along the axis of the limb. For example, rotating the humerus so the front of the arm turns inward toward the body, or rotating the femur so the knee turns inward, illustrates medial rotation. In contrast, lateral rotation would turn the limb around the axis away from the midline (external rotation). Flexion is bending to decrease a joint angle, and adduction is moving a limb toward the midline in the plane of motion—not around the bone’s long axis.