Movement Patterns at Joints *Click images to enlarge*
Abduction occurs when a body part is moved away from the midline of the body or other body part. Examples include placing the arms by the sides of the body and then raising them laterally (up to the side). In this case abduction at the shoulder joint has taken place. Spreading the fingers and lifting up a leg to the side are also examples of abduction. An easy way of remembering this is ‘abduct’ – to take away.
Adduction is the opposite of abduction and occurs with movement towards the midline of the body or body part. For example, by lowering the arms back down to the sides of the body, movement towards the midline of the body has taken place, and therefore adduction has occurred. An easy way of remembering this is ‘add’ – for example, ‘adding’ the arm to the side of the body.
Abduction occurs when a body part is moved away from the midline of the body or other body part. Examples include placing the arms by the sides of the body and then raising them laterally (up to the side). In this case abduction at the shoulder joint has taken place. Spreading the fingers and lifting up a leg to the side are also examples of abduction. An easy way of remembering this is ‘abduct’ – to take away.
Adduction is the opposite of abduction and occurs with movement towards the midline of the body or body part. For example, by lowering the arms back down to the sides of the body, movement towards the midline of the body has taken place, and therefore adduction has occurred. An easy way of remembering this is ‘add’ – for example, ‘adding’ the arm to the side of the body.