

For the upper limb, all anterior-going motions are flexion and all posterior-going motions are extension. In the limbs, flexion decreases the angle between the bones (bending of the joint), while extension increases the angle and straightens the joint. These movements of the vertebral column involve both the symphysis joint formed by each intervertebral disc, as well as the plane type of synovial joint formed between the inferior articular processes of one vertebra and the superior articular processes of the next lower vertebra. Lateral flexion is the bending of the neck or body toward the right or left side. For the vertebral column, flexion (anterior flexion) is an anterior (forward) bending of the neck or body, while extension involves a posterior-directed motion, such as straightening from a flexed position or bending backward. Medial and lateral rotation of the upper limb at the shoulder or lower limb at the hip involves turning the anterior surface of the limb toward the midline of the body (medial or internal rotation) or away from the midline (lateral or external rotation).įlexion and extension are movements that take place within the sagittal plane and involve anterior or posterior movements of the body or limbs. (f) Turning of the head side to side or twisting of the body is rotation. Adduction/abduction and circumduction take place at the shoulder, hip, wrist, metacarpophalangeal, and metatarsophalangeal joints. Circumduction is the movement of the limb, hand, or fingers in a circular pattern, using the sequential combination of flexion, adduction, extension, and abduction motions. Adduction brings the limb or hand toward or across the midline of the body, or brings the fingers or toes together. Moving the limb or hand laterally away from the body, or spreading the fingers or toes, is abduction. (e) Abduction and adduction are motions of the limbs, hand, fingers, or toes in the coronal (medial–lateral) plane of movement. (c)–(d) Anterior bending of the head or vertebral column is flexion, while any posterior-going movement is extension. These movements take place at the shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, wrist, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. (a)–(b) Flexion and extension motions are in the sagittal (anterior–posterior) plane of motion.

Synovial joints give the body many ways in which to move. Body movements are always described in relation to the anatomical position of the body: upright stance, with upper limbs to the side of body and palms facing forward.

Movement types are generally paired, with one being the opposite of the other. There are many types of movement that can occur at synovial joints ( ). Overall, each type of synovial joint is necessary to provide the body with its great flexibility and mobility. While the ball-and-socket joint gives the greatest range of movement at an individual joint, in other regions of the body, several joints may work together to produce a particular movement. The type of movement that can be produced at a synovial joint is determined by its structural type. Each movement at a synovial joint results from the contraction or relaxation of the muscles that are attached to the bones on either side of the articulation. Synovial joints allow the body a tremendous range of movements.
