Anatomical terms of movement

Anatomical terms of movement describe how the body moves in space. "Flexion" and "extension" refer to decreasing or increasing the angle between body parts, like bending or straightening the elbow. "Abduction" moves limbs away from the body's midline, while "adduction" brings them back in. "Rotation" involves turning a limb or head around its axis, such as turning the head side to side. "Circumduction" combines these movements in a circular motion, like moving your arm in a loop. These terms help health professionals precisely describe how the body moves during activity or in assessment.