Human Anatomy & Physiology (9th Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321743261
ISBN 13: 978-0-32174-326-8

Chapter 8 - Joints - Review Questions - Page 274: 12

Answer

Abduction and adduction are motions of the limbs in the coronal plane of movement. Such movements include moving the limb away from the body. Abduction moves the limb laterally away from the body (such as moving your arm away from body). Adduction brings the limb medially towards the body (such as moving your arm to your side). Flexion and extension are movements that take place within the sagittal plane, and involve anterior or posterior movements of the limbs. Flexion is an anterior (forward) motion, such as bending your vertebral column forward. Extension is a posterior (backward) motion, such as bending your vertebral column backward. In short terms, abduction and adduction involves the movement of limbs away from the body and towards the body (lateral to medial, or, medial to lateral). Flexion and extension involves the movement of limbs forward and backward (anatomical position to anterior, or, anatomical position to posterior).

Work Step by Step

Abduction and adduction are motions of the limbs in the coronal plane of movement. Such movements include moving the limb away from the body. Abduction moves the limb laterally away from the body (such as moving your arm away from body). Adduction brings the limb medially towards the body (such as moving your arm to your side). Flexion and extension are movements that take place within the sagittal plane, and involve anterior or posterior movements of the limbs. Flexion is an anterior (forward) motion, such as bending your vertebral column forward. Extension is a posterior (backward) motion, such as bending your vertebral column backward. In short terms, abduction and adduction involves the movement of limbs away from the body and towards the body (lateral to medial, or, medial to lateral). Flexion and extension involves the movement of limbs forward and backward (anatomical position to anterior, or, anatomical position to posterior).
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