Shoulder
Scapula
Hip
1 of 6

Movements of the Body

Movements of a joint are called Actions. Understanding movement is the most important aspect of this course, in other words, if you know anything about a muscle, know what action(s) is does.

We will review the actions of each joint before covering muscles that move that joint, but here's an overview:

Don't get overwhelmed by all of the terms. We'll show you everything multiple times.

Actions

Each of the bullets is paired by action and counter action (opposite movement).

  • Flexion - Bend or bring closer together. Extension - Straighten.
  • Abduction - Move away from the midline (center of body). Adduction - Move closer to the midline.
  • Circumduction - Combination of flexion, abduction, extension, adduction that only happens at the hip and shoulder joint; both ball and socket joints.
  • Lateral Flexion - Bend side-to-side.
  • Elevation - Move superiorly (up). Depression - Move inferiorly (down).
  • Protraction (sometimes called Abduction) - Protrude forward. Retraction (sometimes called Abduction) - Retreat backward.
  • External Rotation (also known as Lateral Rotation) - Rotation away from the midline. We use the term external rotation. Internal rotation (also known as Medial Rotation) - Rotation toward the midline. We use the term internal rotation.
  • Rotation - Turn the neck or spine.
  • Upward Rotation - Outside corner of the scapula moves up. Downward Rotation - Outside corner of the scapula moves down.
  • Supination - External rotation of the radius to lie parallel with the ulna, turning the palms up. "Hold the soup or supinate is to the sun." Pronation - Internal rotation of the radius crossing over the ulna, turning the palms down. "Prone to spilling the soup or prone is to the plants."
  • Radial Deviation - Abduction of the wrist. Ulnar Deviation - Adduction of the wrist.
  • Plantar Flexion - Pointing your foot down like you're "wearing high heels or stepping on the gas pedal." Dorsiflexion - "Letting off the gas. The dorsal of a dolphin is on top."
  • Inversion - Bottom of the foot toward the midline. "Look at the inside of the foot." Eversion - Bottom of the foot away the midline.
  • Anterior/Posterior Tilt - Angle towards anterior (front) or posterior (back). Anterior tilt means "pour the bucket of water forward", posterior tilt means "pour the bucket of water backward."
  • Lateral Tilt - One side of the pelvis elevates, one side lowers.
  • Opposition - Thumb to a finger.
  • Deviation - Moving the jaw side-to-side.

Do you remember the terms agonist, synergist, antagonist from the previous topic?

Actions by Joint

Note: (#) by action = number of muscles that do that action.

Shoulder Actions

Glenohumeral (GH) Joint

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Abduction / Adduction
  • Horizontal Abduction / Horizontal Adduction
  • External Rotation / Internal Rotation
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Scapula Actions

Scapulothoracic (ST) Joint

  • Elevation / Depression
  • Protraction / Retraction
  • Upward Rotation / Downward Rotation
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Elbow Actions

Humeroulnar and Humeroradial Joints

  • Flexion / Extension
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Forearm

Proximal and Distal Radioulnar Joint

  • Supination / Pronation
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Wrist

Radiocarpal Joint

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Abduction (Radial Deviation) / Adduction (Ulnar Deviation)
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Fingers

Metacarpophalangeal, and Proximal and Distal Interphalangeal Joints

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Abduction / Adduction
  • Opposition
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Thumb

First Carpometacarpal (CMC) and Metacarpophalangeal (MCP) Joints

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Abduction / Adduction
  • Opposition
thumb-actions

Jaw

Temporomandibular Joint

  • Elevation / Depression
  • Protraction / Retraction
  • Lateral Deviation
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Neck

Cervical Spine

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Rotation to the Same Side / Rotation to the Opposite Side
  • Lateral Flexion
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Thorax

Ribs / Sternum

  • Rib Elevation (Expansion) / Rib Depression(Collapse)
  • Inhalation / Exhalation
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Spine

Vertebral Column

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Rotation to the Same Side / Rotation to the Opposite Side
  • Lateral Flexion
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Pelvis

Ilium, Ischium, Pubis

  • Anterior Tilt / Posterior Tilt
  • Lateral Tilt (Elevation)
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Hip

Coxal Joint

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Abduction / Adduction
  • External Rotation / Internal Rotation
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Knee

Tibofemoral Joint

  • Flexion / Extension
  • External Rotation (with Flexed Knee) / Internal Rotation (with Flexed Knee)
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Ankle & Foot

Talocrural, Talotarsal, Midtarsal, and Tarsometatarsal Joints

  • Dorsiflexion / Plantar Flexion
  • Eversion / Inversion
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Big (1st) Toe

Hallux Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) and Interphalangeal Joint

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Abduction / Adduction
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery

Little Toe Actions

Metatarsophalangeal (MTP) and Interphalangeal Joints

  • Flexion / Extension
  • Abduction / Adduction (Note: the midline is the 2nd toe)
Images © Books of Discovery
Images © Books of Discovery
Scroll To Top