Learnalist

Movement vocabulary

Puzzle #443

Preparing your puzzle…

Learn these words

Add all 12 words to your learning. Learnalist introduces them gradually and brings them back for review. An account is required.

See all 12 words
  • flexion

    A bending movement that usually decreases the angle at a joint.

  • extension

    A straightening movement that usually increases the angle at a joint.

  • rotation

    Turning a body part around an axis.

  • abduction

    Moving a limb away from the body’s midline.

  • adduction

    Moving a limb towards the body’s midline.

  • pronation

    Turning the forearm so the palm faces backwards in anatomical position.

  • supination

    Turning the forearm so the palm faces forwards in anatomical position.

  • dorsiflexion

    Moving the top of the foot towards the shin.

  • plantar flexion

    Moving the foot away from the shin, as when pointing the toes.

  • inversion

    Turning the sole of the foot towards the body’s midline.

  • eversion

    Turning the sole of the foot away from the body’s midline.

  • circumduction

    A circular movement combining flexion, abduction, extension and adduction.

Movement vocabulary

These terms describe movement rather than particular exercises. Pronation and supination here refer specifically to the forearm; the foot uses those terms for more complex combined movements.

Sources: OpenStax: types of body movements.