Joint movement

1. Joint Movement
The following 12 terms are used to
describe the movement of joints in
the body from a baseline position (the
anatomical position)

2. Joint Movement – Flexion & Extension
Flexion – decreasing the angle
at a joint
E.g. bending the joint
 Extension – Increasing the
angle at a joint
E.g. straightening a joint

3. Joint Movement – Abduction &
Adduction
Abduction – Movement
away from the mid-line of
the body
Adduction – Movement
towards the midline of
the body

4. Joint Movement – Rotation &
Circumduction
Rotation – Movement
around a long axis
Circumduction –
Combination of flexion,
extension, abduction and
adduction

5. Joint Movement – Plantar Flexion &
Dorsi Flexion
Plantar Flexion –
Pointing the toes or
planting the toes down
against the ground
Dorsiflexion – Pulling the
foot back towards the
body

6. Joint Movement – Pronation &
Supination
Pronation – Medial
rotation of the forearm.
Turning the palm of the
hand over.
Supination – Lateral
rotation of the forearm.
Turning the palm back to
the anatomical position.

7. Joint Movement – Inversion &
Eversion
Inversion – Medial
rotation of the foot
Eversion – Lateral
rotation of the foot