Types of Movement Definition

Synovial joints enable the body to move in a wide range of directions. Each movement at a synovial joint is caused by the contraction or relaxation of muscles attached to the bones on either side of the articulation. The structural type of a synovial joint determines the type of movement that can be produced. While all ball-and-socket joints provide the most range of motion at a single joint, in other parts of the body, several joints may work together to produce a specific movement. Overall, each type of the synovial joint is required for the body’s great flexibility and mobility. Many different types of movement can occur at synovial joints. In general, movement types are paired, with one being the polar opposite of the other. Body movements are always described in relation to the anatomical position of the body: upright stance, upper limbs to the side of the body, palms forward.

Types of movement definition

To understand your fellow medical students and physicians, you must be fluent in anatomical terminology. This can be both a blessing and a curse at the same time. If you look at the glass half full, you will notice that the language is extremely precise and exact, leaving no room for errors, misinterpretation, or miscommunication. If you look at the glass as half empty, there is only one specific term that can accurately describe an anatomical structure/movement/relation, which means you will need to learn a lot of words in order to become fluent in this language.

Almost every anatomy department in the world naturally prioritises teaching students the names and details of bones, muscles, vessels, nerves, and so on. However, the fundamental concepts of planes, relations, and, in particular, anatomical movements are only briefly discussed in the first 30 minutes to an hour. Students eventually catch up with planes and relations because they are constantly used to connect anatomical structures, but movements are frequently forgotten or poorly understood.

Flexion and Extension

Flexion and extension are sagittal plane movements that involve anterior or posterior movements of the body or limbs. Flexion (anterior flexion) of the vertebral column is an anterior (forward) bending of the neck or body, whereas extension is a posterior-directed motion, such as straightening from a flexed position or bending backward. Lateral flexion is defined as bending the neck or body to the right or left side. These vertebral column movements involve both the symphysis joint formed by each intervertebral disc and the plane type of synovial joint formed by the inferior articular processes of one vertebra and the superior articular processes of the next lower vertebrae.

Flexion reduces the angle between the bones (bending of the joint) in the limbs, whereas extension increases the angle and straightens the joint. All anterior-going motions of the upper limb are flexion, and all posterior-going motions are extension. These include arm movements at the shoulder, forearm movements at the elbow, hand movements at the wrist, and finger movements at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. When it comes to the thumb, extension moves it away from the palm of the hand, within the same plane as the palm, whereas flexion moves it back against the index finger or into the palms. These movements occur at the first carpometacarpal joint

The abnormal or excessive extension of a joint beyond its normal range of motion, resulting in injury, is referred to as hyperextension. Similarly, hyperflexion is excessive joint flexion. Injuries caused by hyperextension are common at hinge joints such as the knee or elbow. In cases of “whiplash,” where the head is suddenly moved backward and then forward, a patient may experience both cervical hyperextension and hyperflexion.

Abduction and Adduction

Abduction and adduction motions take place in the coronal plane and involve medial-lateral movement of the limbs, fingers, toes, or thumb. Adduction is the opposing movement that brings the limb toward the body or across the midline, whereas abduction moves the limb laterally away from the midline. Abduction, for example, involves raising the arm at the shoulder joint and moving it laterally away from the body, whereas adduction involves lowering the arm to the side of the body. 

Abduction and adduction at the wrist, on the other hand, move the hand away from or toward the midline of the body. Abduction is also defined as spreading the fingers or toes apart, whereas adduction is defined as bringing the fingers or toes together. Abduction is the anterior movement of the thumb that brings it to a 90° perpendicular position, pointing straight out from the palm. Adduction returns the thumb to its normal anatomical position next to the index finger. Condyloid, saddle, and ball-and-socket joints exhibit abduction and adduction movements.

Circumduction

Circumduction is the circular movement of a body region in which one end of the body region being moved remains relatively stationary while the other end describes a circle. At a joint, it is the sequential combination of flexion, adduction, extension, and abduction. Biaxial condyloid and saddle joints, as well as multiaxial ball-and-socket joints, exhibit this type of motion.

Rotation

Within the vertebral column, at a pivot joint, or at a ball-and-socket joint, rotation can occur. The twisting movement produced by the sum of the small rotational movements available between adjacent vertebrae is referred to as neck or body rotation. One bone rotates in relation to another at a pivot joint. Because this is a uniaxial joint, the only motion permitted at a pivot joint is rotation. At the atlantoaxial joint, for example, the first cervical (C1) vertebra (atlas) rotates around the dens, which is the upward projection from the second cervical (C2) vertebra. This allows the head to rotate from side to side similar to shaking one’s head number. The radius head and its articulation with the ulna form the proximal radioulnar joint, which is a pivot joint. This joint allows the radius to rotate along its length during forearm pronation and supination movements. Rotation can also occur at the shoulder and hip ball-and-socket joints.

Supination and Pronation

Supination and pronation are forearm movements. The upper limb is held next to the body with the palm facing forward in the anatomical position. The forearm is supinated in this position. The radius and ulna are parallel to each other in this position. When the palm of the hand is facing backward, the forearm is pronated, and the radius and ulna form an X.

Supination and pronation are forearm movements that alternate between these two positions. The motion that moves the forearm from the supinated (anatomical) position to the pronated (palm backward) position is known as pronation. This motion is caused by radius rotation at the proximal radioulnar joint, which is accompanied by radius movement at the distal radioulnar joint. The proximal radioulnar joint is a pivot joint that allows the radius head to rotate. This rotation causes the distal end of the radius to cross over the distal ulna at the distal radioulnar joint due to the slight curvature of the shaft of the radius. This crossing over places the radius and ulna in an X-shape. Supination is the inverse motion, in which the radius is rotated to return the bones to their parallel positions and the palm is moved to the anterior facing (supinated) position. It’s useful to remember that supination is the motion used when scooping soup with a spoon.

Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion

Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion are ankle joint movements that occur at a hinge joint. Dorsiflexions is the lifting of the front of the foot so that the top of the foot moves toward the anterior leg, whereas plantar flexion is the lifting of the heel of the foot from the ground or pointing the toes to wards the downwards. At the ankle joint, these are the only movements available.

Inversion and Eversion

Inversions and eversions are the complex movements that involve multiple plane joints among the tarsal bones of the posterior foot (intertarsal joints) and are thus not ankle joint motions. Inversion is the turning of the foot to angle the bottom of the foot toward the midline, whereas eversion is the turning away from the midline. The foot has a greater range of inversion motion than it does of eversion motion. These are important motions that aid in the stabilisation of the foot when walking or running on an uneven surface, as well as the quick side-to-side changes in direction used in active sports like basketball, racquetball, or soccer.

Protraction and Retraction

Protraction and retraction of the scapula or mandible are anterior-posterior movements. When the shoulder moves forward, such as when pushing against something or throwing a ball, the scapula protrudes. The opposite motion is retraction, which pulls the scapula posteriorly and medially toward the vertebral column. Protraction of the mandible occurs when the lower jaw is pushed forward to stick out the chin, whereas retraction pulls the lower jaw backward.

Depression and Elevation

Depression and elevation are movements of the scapula or mandible downward and upward. Elevation is when the scapula and shoulder move upward, while depression is when they move downward. These are the movements used to shrug your shoulders. Similarly, elevation of the mandible refers to the upward movement of the lower jaw used to close the mouth or bite on something, whereas depression refers to the downward movement that causes the mouth to open.

Conclusion

Synovial joints enable the body to move in a wide range of directions. Each movement at a synovial joint is caused by the contraction or relaxation of muscles attached to the bones on either side of the articulation. Almost every anatomy department in the world naturally priorities teaching students the names and details of bones, muscles, vessels, nerves, and so on. Flexion reduces the angle between the bones (bending of the joint) in the limbs, whereas extension increases the angle and straightens the joint. All anterior-going motions of the upper limb are flexion, and all posterior-going motions are extension. The abnormal or excessive extension of a joint beyond its normal range of motion, resulting in injury, is referred to as hyperextension. Similarly, hyperflexion is excessive joint flexion. Injuries caused by hyperextension are common at hinge joints such as the knee or elbow. Abduction and adduction motions take place in the coronal plane and involve medial-lateral movement of the limbs, fingers, toes, or thumb. Adduction is the opposing movement that brings the limb toward the body or across the midline, whereas abduction moves the limb laterally away from the midline.