The Skeletal System: Joint Movements

Body Movements There are generally 4 types of movements that occur with joints and articulations GLIDING: between flat bones ANGULAR: increase or decrease angles between joints ROTATIONAL: turning at a joint SPECIAL MOVEMENTS: specific areas with specific joints We will focus on movements of synovial/diarthroses

Flexion and Extension Flexion the angle of the bone is decreased Extension the angle of the bone is increased Hyperextension occurs when the movement exceeds the plane of normal movement

Abduction and Adduction Both are also angular movements Abduction a limb is moved away from the midline of the body Adduction occurs when the limb is returned toward the body surface

Special Flexion/Extension Movements With the foot Dorsiflexion: ankle bones undergo flexion and the sole elevates Plantar flexion: opposite movement when the foot bends in direction of the plantar surface

Inversion and Eversion This special movement also occurs with the foot Inversion the foot twists to turn the sole inward Eversion the foot twists so the sole faces outward

Pronation and Supination Special movements at the wrist Pronation: palm turns down to the posterior position Supination: turns the palm forward to the anterior position

Circumduction Circumduction occurs with ball and socket joints where the limb moves 3600 The distal part of the arm or leg moves in a circle or cone

Rotation Rotation occurs where a bone turns along its own long axis Can occur at the hip and shoulder joints Most easily seen when the head turns left and right when expressing “no”

Depression and Elevation Special movements of jaw, shoulders and face Depression occurs when the muscles move structure in an inferior direction Elevation occurs when muscles move structure in the superior direction

Retraction and Protraction Special movements in which no angles are involved Retraction movement of a body part toward the posterior Protraction movement of a body part in the anterior direction

Opposition and Reposition Special movements of the thumb Opposition brings the thumb and little finger together Reposition brings them away from each other

ROTATION FLEXION FLEXION HORIZONTAL ADDUCTION ROTATION ROTATION FLEXION PLANTAR FLEXION INVERSION