Anatomy Action Terms
Flexion: a bending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that decreases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint
Extension: an unbending movement around a joint in a limb (as the knee or elbow) that increases the angle between the bones of the limb at the joint
Abduct: to draw away (as a limb) from a position near or parallel to
the median axis of the body
Adduct: to draw (as a limb) toward or past the median the axis of the body
Rotation: the action or process of rotating on or as if on an axis or center; specifically: the turning of a body part about its long axis as if on a pivot
Circumduction: movement of a limb or extremity so that the distal end describes a circle while the proximal end remains fixed
Protract: to extend forward or outward
Retract: to draw back or in