7.4: Types of Body Movements

By the end of this section, you will be able to

• Define the different types of body movements
• Identify the joints that allow for these motions

Synovial joints allow the body a tremendous range of movements. 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. The type of movement that can be produced at a synovial joint is determined by its structural type. 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. Overall, each type of synovial joint is necessary to provide the body with its great flexibility and mobility. There are many types of movement that can occur at synovial joints (Table \(\PageIndex{1}\)). Movement types are generally paired, with one being the opposite of the other. 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.

Planar Movements

The most common movements that our joints can do see that part of the body move in a motion parallel to one of the three body planes:

• sagittal plane movements - part moves in an anterior or posterior direction
• frontal plane movements - part moves in a medial or lateral direction
• transverse plane movements - a twisting movement

Sagittal Plane - Flexion and Extension

Flexion and extension are movements that take place within the sagittal plane and involve anterior or posterior movements of the trunk or limbs.

In the limbs, flexion decreases the angle between the bones (bending of the joint), while extension increases the angle and straightens the joint. For the upper limb, all anterior-going motions are flexion and all posterior-going motions are extension. These include anterior-posterior movements of the arm at the shoulder, the forearm at the elbow, the hand at the wrist, and the fingers at the metacarpophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. For the thumb, extension moves the thumb away from the palm of the hand, within the same plane as the palm, while flexion brings the thumb back against the index finger or into the palm. These motions take place at the first carpometacarpal joint. In the lower limb, bringing the thigh forward and upward is flexion at the hip joint, while any posterior-going motion of the thigh is extension. Note that extension of the thigh beyond the anatomical (standing) position is greatly limited by the ligaments that support the hip joint. Knee flexion is the bending of the knee to bring the foot toward the posterior thigh, and extension is the straightening of the knee. Flexion and extension movements are seen at the hinge, condyloid, saddle, and ball-and-socket joints of the limbs (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)).

For the vertebral column, sagittal plane movements keep the inferior portion of the body stable and the superior portion moves in an anterior or posterior direction. Again, flexion is an anterior bending while extension involves a posterior-directed motion, such as straightening from a flexed position or bending backward (Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\)). These movements occur in both the cervical and lumbar regions of the vertebral column and 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.

Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\):  Movements of the Body - Flexion and Extension. Flexion and extension are opposing movements that are in the sagittal (anterior–posterior) plane of motion. These movements take place at the intervertebral, shoulder, hip, elbow, knee, wrist, metacarpophalangeal, metatarsophalangeal, and interphalangeal joints. (Image credit: "Flexion and Extension" by Sophia Elizondo is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.)

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

Frontal Plane - Lateral Flexion, Abduction and Adduction

Abduction and adduction motions occur within the frontal (coronal) plane and involve medial-lateral motions of the limbs. Abduction moves the limb laterally away from the midline of the body, while adduction is the opposing movement that brings the limb toward the body midline or across the midline. For example, abduction is raising the arm at the shoulder joint, moving it laterally away from the body, while adduction brings the arm down to the side of the body. Similarly, abduction and adduction at the wrist moves the hand away from or toward the midline of the body. Spreading the fingers or toes apart is also abduction, while bringing the fingers or toes together is adduction. For the thumb, abduction is the anterior movement that brings the thumb to a 90° perpendicular position, pointing straight out from the palm. Adduction moves the thumb back to the anatomical position, next to the index finger. Abduction and adduction movements are seen at joints with more than a single axis of rotation - condyloid, saddle, and ball-and-socket joints (Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\)) .

Lateral flexion is the bending of the neck or trunk toward the right or left, moving either away from or closer to the midline. Just like with other movements, lateral flexion right and lateral flexion left are opposing movements. If you tilt your head toward your left shoulder this is lateral flexion left; moving your head back to center is lateral flexion right.

Figure \(\PageIndex{2}\): Movements of the Body - Adduction, Abduction and Lateral Flexion. Adduction and Abduction are opposing movements that are in the frontal (medial-lateral) plane of motion. These movements take place at the shoulder, hip, wrist, and metacarpophalangeal joints. When the motion is occurring at the intervertebral joints this movement is called lateral flexion to the right or to the left. (Image credit: "Movements" by BlueLink is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 with notification of the original authors, modifications by Jennifer Lange.)

Rotation

Rotation can occur within the vertebral column, at a pivot joint, or at a ball-and-socket joint. Rotation of the neck or body is the twisting movement produced by the summation of the small rotational movements available between adjacent vertebrae. At a pivot joint, one bone rotates in relation to another bone. This is a uniaxial joint, and thus rotation is the only motion allowed at a pivot joint. For example, at the atlantoaxial joint, the first cervical (C1) vertebra (atlas) rotates around the dens, the upward projection from the second cervical (C2) vertebra (axis). This allows the head to rotate from side to side as when shaking the head “no.” The proximal radioulnar joint is a pivot joint formed by the head of the radius and its articulation with the ulna. This joint allows for the radius to rotate along its length during pronation and supination movements of the forearm (Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\)).

Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\): Movements of the Body - Rotations. Medial rotation and lateral rotation are opposing movements that are in the transverse plane of motion. These movements are twisting motions that take place at the shoulder and hip joints. When the motion is occurring at the intervertebral joints this movement is called lateral rotation to the right or to the left. (Image credit: "Movements" by BlueLink is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 with notification of the original authors, modifications by Jennifer Lange.)

Rotation can also occur at the ball-and-socket joints of the shoulder and hip. Here, the humerus and femur rotate around their long axis, which moves the anterior surface of the arm or thigh either toward or away from the midline of the body. Movement that brings the anterior surface of the limb toward the midline of the body is called medial (internal) rotation. Conversely, rotation of the limb so that the anterior surface moves away from the midline is lateral (external) rotation (Figure \(\PageIndex{3}\)). Be sure to distinguish medial and lateral rotation, which can only occur at the multiaxial shoulder and hip joints, from circumduction, which can occur at either biaxial or multiaxial joints.

Non-planar or Special Movements

Circumduction

Circumduction is the movement of a body region in a circular manner, in which one end of the body region being moved stays relatively stationary while the other end describes a circle. It involves the sequential combination of flexion, adduction, extension, and abduction at a joint. This type of motion is found at biaxial condyloid and saddle joints, and at multiaxial ball-and-sockets joints (Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\)).

Figure \(\PageIndex{4}\): Movements of the Body - Circumduction. Circumduction is actually a combination of movements that cross multiple planes. This motion can only take place at multiaxial joints - the shoulder, wrist, metacarpophalangeal, and hip joints. (Image credit: "Movements" by BlueLink is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 with notification of the original authors.)

Supination and Pronation

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

Supination and pronation are the movements of the forearm that go between these two positions. Pronation is the motion that moves the forearm from the supinated (anatomical) position to the pronated (palm backward) position. This motion is produced by rotation of the radius at the proximal radioulnar joint, accompanied by movement of the radius at the distal radioulnar joint. The proximal radioulnar joint is a pivot joint that allows for rotation of the head of the radius. Because of the slight curvature of the shaft of the radius, this rotation causes the distal end of the radius to cross over the distal ulna at the distal radioulnar joint. This crossing over brings the radius and ulna into an X-shape position. Supination is the opposite motion, in which rotation of the radius returns the bones to their parallel positions and moves the palm to the anterior facing (supinated) position (Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\)).

Figure \(\PageIndex{5}\): Movements of the Body - Pronation and Supination. In anatomical position your forearms are supinated (supine) and the palms are anterior. Pronation twists the forearm so the palm is facing posterior. (Image credit: "Pronation-Supination" by Jennifer Lange is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, modification of original by BlueLink .)

Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion

Dorsiflexion and plantar flexion are movements at the ankle joint, which is a hinge joint. Lifting the front of the foot, so that the top of the foot moves toward the anterior leg is dorsiflexion, while lifting the heel of the foot from the ground or pointing the toes downward is plantar flexion. These are the only movements available at the ankle joint (Figure \(\PageIndex{6.A}\)).

Inversion and Eversion

Inversion and eversion are complex movements that involve the multiple plane joints among the tarsal bones of the posterior foot (intertarsal joints) and thus are not motions that take place at the ankle joint. Inversion is the turning of the foot to angle the bottom of the foot toward the midline, while eversion turns the bottom of the foot away from the midline. The foot has a greater range of inversion than eversion motion. These are important motions that help to stabilize the foot when walking or running on an uneven surface and aid in the quick side-to-side changes in direction used during active sports such as basketball, racquetball, or soccer (Figure \(\PageIndex{6.B}\)) .

Figure \(\PageIndex{6}\): Movements of the Body - Ankle and Foot. A) When the foot is moving in the sagittal plane, dorsiflexion of the foot at the ankle joint moves the top of the foot toward the leg, while plantar flexion lifts the heel and points the toes. B) When the foot is moving in the frontal plane, eversion of the foot at the intertarsal joints moves the bottom (sole) of the foot away from the midline of the body, while foot inversion faces the sole toward the midline. (Image credit: "Movements" by BlueLink is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 with notification of the original authors.)

Protraction and Retraction

Protraction and retraction are anterior-posterior movements of the pectoral girdle or the mandible. Protraction of the pectoral girdle occurs when the shoulder is moved forward, as when pushing against something or throwing a ball. Retraction is the opposite motion, with the scapula being pulled posteriorly and medially, toward the vertebral column. For the mandible, protraction occurs when the lower jaw is pushed forward, to stick out the chin, while retraction pulls the lower jaw backward. (Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\)).

Figure \(\PageIndex{7}\): Protraction and Retraction.  These moments occur at the sternoclavicular (A) and temporomandibular (B) joints.  (Image credit: "Movements" by BlueLink is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 with notification of the original authors.)

 

Depression and Elevation

Depression and elevation are downward and upward movements of the pectoral girdle or the mandible. The upward movement of the pectoral girdle is elevation, while a downward movement is depression. These movements are used to shrug your shoulders. Similarly, elevation of the mandible is the upward movement of the lower jaw used to close the mouth or bite on something, and depression is the downward movement that produces opening of the mouth (Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\)) .

Figure \(\PageIndex{8}\): Elevation and Depression. The movements of elevation and depression also occur at the sternoclavicular joint and the temporomandibular joint (not shown). (Image credit: "Movements" by BlueLink is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 with notification of the original authors.)

Opposition and Reposition

Opposition is the thumb movement that brings the tip of the thumb in contact with the tip of a finger. This movement is produced at the first carpometacarpal joint, which is a saddle joint formed between the trapezium carpal bone and the first metacarpal bone. Thumb opposition is produced by a combination of flexion and abduction of the thumb at this joint. Returning the thumb to its anatomical position next to the index finger is called reposition.  View these movements in the following video:

Concept Review

The variety of movements provided by the different types of synovial joints allows for a large range of body motions and gives you tremendous mobility. These movements allow you to flex or extend your body or limbs, medially rotate and adduct your arms and flex your elbows to hold a heavy object against your chest, raise your arms above your head, rotate or shake your head, and bend to touch the toes (with or without bending your knees).

Each of the different structural types of synovial joints also allow for specific motions. The atlantoaxial pivot joint provides side-to-side rotation of the head, while the proximal radioulnar articulation allows for rotation of the radius during pronation and supination of the forearm. Hinge joints, such as at the knee and elbow, allow only for flexion and extension. Similarly, the hinge joint of the ankle only allows for dorsiflexion and plantar flexion of the foot.

Condyloid and saddle joints are biaxial. These allow for flexion and extension, and abduction and adduction. The sequential combination of flexion, adduction, extension, and abduction produces circumduction. Multiaxial plane joints provide for only small motions, but these can add together over several adjacent joints to produce body movement, such as inversion and eversion of the foot. Similarly, plane joints allow for flexion, extension, and lateral flexion movements of the vertebral column. The multiaxial ball and socket joints allow for flexion-extension, abduction-adduction, and circumduction. In addition, these also allow for medial (internal) and lateral (external) rotation. Ball-and-socket joints have the greatest range of motion of all synovial joints.

Table \(\PageIndex{1}\): Synovial Joint Summary

Type of Joint	Movement	Example
Pivot	Uniaxial joint; allows rotational movement	Atlantoaxial joint (C1–C2 vertebrae articulation); proximal radioulnar joint
Hinge	Uniaxial joint; allows flexion/extension movements	Knee; elbow; ankle; interphalangeal joints of fingers and toes
Condyloid	Biaxial joint; allows flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and circumduction movements	Metacarpophalangeal (knuckle) joints of fingers; radiocarpal joint of wrist; metatarsophalangeal joints for toes
Saddle	Biaxial joint; allows flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, and circumduction movements	First carpometacarpal joint of the thumb; sternoclavicular joint
Plane	Multiaxial joint; allows inversion and eversion of foot, or flexion, extension, and lateral flexion of the vertebral column	Intertarsal joints of foot; superior-inferior articular process articulations between vertebrae
Ball-and-socket	Multiaxial joint; allows flexion/extension, abduction/adduction, circumduction, and medial/lateral rotation movements	Shoulder and hip joints

Table \(\PageIndex{2}\): Synovial Joint Movements Summary

(Image Credits: "Movements at Synovial Joints" by BlueLink is licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0 with notification of the original authors, modifications made by Jennifer Lange.)

 

Review Questions

Q. The joints between the articular processes of adjacent vertebrae can contribute to which movement?

A. lateral flexion

B. circumduction

C. dorsiflexion

D. abduction

Answer

Answer: A

Q. Which motion moves the bottom of the foot away from the midline of the body?

A. elevation

B. dorsiflexion

C. eversion

D. plantar flexion

Answer

Answer: C

Q. Movement of a body region in a circular movement at a condyloid joint is what type of motion?

A. rotation

B. elevation

C. abduction

D. circumduction

Answer

Answer: D

Q. Supination is the motion that moves the ________.

A. hand from the palm backward position to the palm forward position

B. foot so that the bottom of the foot faces the midline of the body

C. hand from the palm forward position to the palm backward position

D. scapula in an upward direction

Answer

Answer: A

Q. Movement at the shoulder joint that moves the upper limb laterally away from the body is called ________.

A. elevation

B. eversion

C. abduction

D. lateral rotation

Answer

Answer: C

Critical Thinking Questions

Q. Briefly define the types of joint movements available at a ball-and-socket joint.

Answer

A. Ball-and-socket joints are multiaxial joints that allow for flexion and extension, abduction and adduction, circumduction, and medial and lateral rotation.

Q. Discuss the joints involved and movements required for you to cross your arms together in front of your chest.

Answer

A. To cross your arms, you need to use both your shoulder and elbow joints. At the shoulder, the arm would need to flex and medially rotate. At the elbow, the forearm would need to be flexed.

Glossary

abduction

movement in the coronal plane that moves a limb laterally away from the body; spreading of the fingers

adduction

movement in the coronal plane that moves a limb medially toward or across the midline of the body; bringing fingers together

circumduction

circular motion of the arm, thigh, hand, thumb, or finger that is produced by the sequential combination of flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction

depression

downward (inferior) motion of the scapula or mandible

dorsiflexion

movement at the ankle that brings the top of the foot toward the anterior leg

elevation

upward (superior) motion of the scapula or mandible

eversion

foot movement involving the intertarsal joints of the foot in which the bottom of the foot is turned laterally, away from the midline

extension

movement in the sagittal plane that increases the angle of a joint (straightens the joint); motion involving posterior bending of the vertebral column or returning to the upright position from a flexed position

flexion

movement in the sagittal plane that decreases the angle of a joint (bends the joint); motion involving anterior bending of the vertebral column

hyperextension

excessive extension of joint, beyond the normal range of movement

hyperflexion

excessive flexion of joint, beyond the normal range of movement

inferior rotation

movement of the scapula during upper limb adduction in which the glenoid cavity of the scapula moves in a downward direction as the medial end of the scapular spine moves in an upward direction

inversion

foot movement involving the intertarsal joints of the foot in which the bottom of the foot is turned toward the midline

lateral excursion

side-to-side movement of the mandible away from the midline, toward either the right or left side

lateral flexion

bending of the neck or body toward the right or left side

lateral (external) rotation

movement of the arm at the shoulder joint or the thigh at the hip joint that moves the anterior surface of the limb away from the midline of the body

medial excursion

side-to-side movement that returns the mandible to the midline

medial (internal) rotation

movement of the arm at the shoulder joint or the thigh at the hip joint that brings the anterior surface of the limb toward the midline of the body

opposition

thumb movement that brings the tip of the thumb in contact with the tip of a finger

plantar flexion

foot movement at the ankle in which the heel is lifted off of the ground

pronated position

forearm position in which the palm faces backward

pronation

forearm motion that moves the palm of the hand from the palm forward to the palm backward position

protraction

anterior motion of the scapula or mandible

reposition

movement of the thumb from opposition back to the anatomical position (next to index finger)

retraction

posterior motion of the scapula or mandible

rotation

movement of a bone around a central axis (atlantoaxial joint) or around its long axis (proximal radioulnar joint; shoulder or hip joint); twisting of the vertebral column resulting from the summation of small motions between adjacent vertebrae

superior rotation

movement of the scapula during upper limb abduction in which the glenoid cavity of the scapula moves in an upward direction as the medial end of the scapular spine moves in a downward direction

supinated position

forearm position in which the palm faces anteriorly (anatomical position)

supination

forearm motion that moves the palm of the hand from the palm backward to the palm forward position

Contributors and Attributions

• OpenStax Anatomy & Physiology (CC BY 4.0). Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology