Muscle movements, types, and names

Types of body movements Every one of our our 600+ skeletal muscles is attached to bone or to other connective tissue structures at no less than two points These points are called the origin and the insertion

Origin vs. Insertion The origin of a muscle is the site where it is attached to immovable or less movable bone The insertion of a muscle is the site where it is attached to the movable bone and therefore, when the muscle contracts, the insertion moves toward the origin.

Types of body movements There are 12 body movements that are the most common. All of these movements occur because our muscles are working in tandem with our skeletal system.

Flexion Flexion is a movement generally in the sagittal plane, that decreases the angle of the joint and brings 2 bones closer together Flexion is typical of hinge joints but can also happen at ball and socket joints

Extension Extension is the opposite of flexion Therefore, it is a movement that increases the angle or the distance between two bones If the angle created by extension is greater than 180 degrees it is called hyperextension.

Abduction Abduction is moving a limb away from the midline of the body This movement also refers to the spreading of fingers or toes

Adduction Adduction is the opposite of abduction so it is the movement of a limb toward the body’s midline.

Rotation Rotation is movement of a bone around its longitudinal axis. Rotation is a common movement of ball and socket joints and describes the movement of the C1 and C2 vertebrae ( as in shaking your head “no”)

Circumduction Circumduction is a combination of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction that is common in ball and socket joints such as the shoulder This can be done when the proximal end of the limb is stationary and its distal end moves in a circle.

Pronation Pronation is the moving of the palm of the hand from anterior to a posterior position This action moves the distal end of the radius across the ulna

Supination Supination is moving the palm from a posterior position to an anterior position It is the opposite of pronation

Inversion and Eversion Inversion is the the turning of the sole of the foot so that it faces medially Eversion is the turning of the sole of the foot laterally

Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion Dorsiflexion is the movement at the ankle that moves the instep of the foot up and dorsally toward the shin Plantar flexion straightens the ankle joint causing the toes to point downards