1. Muscle movements, types, and names

2. Types of body movements
Every one of our our 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

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

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

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

9. 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”)

10. 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.

11. 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

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

13. 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

14. 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