13 Types of Anatomical

Movements
Anatomical Movements
 Can be fined as an act or instance of moving the body structures or change position in one
place to another.

 There are 13 Anatomical Movements.

1.Abduction
 A movement of the limb away from the midline of the body.
1.Abduction
 A movement of the limb away from the midline of the body.

 Example:
Bones Involved:
Scapula Humerus

Acromion
 Muscles Involved
Supraspinatus Serratus Interior

Deltoid Trapezius
2.Adduction
 Refers to the movement of the limb towards the midline of the body.
2.Adduction
 Refers to the movement of the limb towards the midline of the body.

 Example:
Bones Involved:
Scapula Humerus

Acromion
 Muscles Involved
Supraspinatus Serratus Interior

Deltoid Trapezius
 Muscles Involved
Supraspinatus Serratus Interior

Deltoid Trapezius
 3.Circumduction
 A special type of angular motion describe as making circular movement like moving the
arm in loops
 3.Circumduction
 A special type of angular motion describe as making circular movement like moving the
arm in loops

 Example:
Bones Involved
Muscle Involved
supraspinatus muscle. infraspinatus muscle.

teres minor muscle

4. Dorsiflexion & Plantar Flexion
 Refer to the movement of the foot.
 Dorsiflexion: Movement of the ankle while elevating the sole.
 Plantar Flexion: Opposite movement, extending the ankle and elevating the heel.
4. Dorsiflexion & Plantar Flexion
 Refer to the movement of the foot.
 Dorsiflexion: Movement of the ankle while elevating the sole.
 Plantar Flexion: Opposite movement, extending the ankle and elevating the heel.

 Example:
Bones & Muscles Involved
5. Elevation & Depression
 Elevation: Movement in a superior direction
 Depression: Movement in an inferior direction

 Example:
Bones Involved
Mandible
Muscles Involved
Medial pteregoid Masseter

Lateral pteregoid. Temporalis

6.Extension
 Occurs when an angle increases between articulating elements
6.Extension
 Occurs when an angle increases between articulating elements

 Example:
Bones Involved
Ulna. Humerus
Muscles Involved
Triceps brachii. Anconeus of the forearm
7.Flexion
 Occurs when an angle between articulating elements is reduced.
7.Flexion
 Occurs when an angle between articulating elements is reduced.

 Example:
Bones Involved
Ulna. Humerus
Muscles Involved
Brachialis Biceps Brachi

Brachioradialis of the forearm

8.Gliding
 Occurs when two opposing slide pass each other.
8.Gliding
 Occurs when two opposing slide pass each other.

 Example:
Bones Involved
Muscles Involved
9. Opposition
 Special movement of the thumb wich enables it to grasp and hold and object.
9. Opposition
 Special movement of the thumb wich enables it to grasp and hold and object.

 Example:
Bone Involved
Metacarpal
Muscle Involved
Opponens pollicis
10.Pronation and Supination
 Rotation of the distal end of the radius across the anterior surface of the ulna.
10.Pronation and Supination
 Rotation of the distal end of the radius across the anterior surface of the ulna.

 Example:
Bones Involved
Muscles Involved
11.Protraction
 Moving a part of the body anteriorly in the horizontal plane.
11.Protraction
 Moving a part of the body anteriorly in the horizontal plane.

 Examples:
Bone Involved
Scapula
Muscles involved
12.Retraction
 The reverse movement of protraction.
12.Retraction
 The reverse movement of protraction.

 Example:
Bone Involved
Scapula
Muscles involved
13. Rotation
 Involves turning the body or limb around the longitudinal axis.
13. Rotation
 Involves turning the body or limb around the longitudinal axis.

 Example:
Bones Involved:
Pivot joint and ball-socket-joint