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TYPES OF JOINT MOVEMENTS
Joint movements are generally divided into four
types: gliding, angular, rotation, and circumduction.
Gliding
Gliding is the simplest type of motion. It is one
surface moving over another without any rotary or
angular motion. This motion exists between
two adjacent surfaces.
Angular
Angular motion decreases or increases the angle
between two adjoining bones. The more common
types of angular motion are as follows:
· Flexion-bending the arm or leg.
· Extension-straightening or unbending, as in straightening the forearm,
leg, or fingers.
· Abduction-moving an extremity away from the body.
· Adduction-bringing an extremity toward the body.
Rotation
Rotation is a movement in which the bone moves
around a central point without being displaced, such as
turning the head from side to side.
Figure 1-26.-Example of immovable, slightly movable, and freely movable
joints.
Circumduction
Circumduction is the movement of the hips and
shoulders.
Other Types of Movement
Other types of movement generally used to
indicate specific anatomical positions include the
following:
· Supination-turning upward, as in placing the palm of the hand up.
· Pronation-turning downward, as in placing the palm of the hand
down.
· Eversion-turning outward, as in turning the sole of the foot to the
outside.
· Inversion-turning inward, as in turning the sole of the foot inward.
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