Which term means movement toward a central reference point?

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

Answer: (B)

Movement toward a central reference point is adduction. It means bringing a limb or structure toward the body's midline. For example, bringing the arm down to your side or moving the thigh inward toward the other leg are adductive movements toward the midline. Abduction is the opposite—movement away from the midline, like raising the arm out to the side. Flexion and extension describe changes in joint angle, not direction toward or away from the midline: flexion bends to decrease the angle, while extension straightens to increase it.