Body Movement Terminology

Body Movement Terminology

These are the key body movement terms that are used during any course of study in anatomy and physiology. If you’re studying an on-line course in anatomy and physiology these concepts will be important to know:

Extension means “Stretching out”

Flexion means “Bending”

Abduction means “Movement away from the midline”

Retraction means “Movement in the posterior direction”

Protraction means “Movement in the anterior direction”

Inversion means “Turning inward”

Eversion means “Turning outward”

Rotation means “Movement of a structure, such as the head on an axis”

Reposition means “Movement of a structure to the original position that is anatomically closer to what is considered normal”

Supination means “The rotation of the forearm so that the anterior surface is facing upwards

Circumduction means “Movement in a circular motion”