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Types of joints movements

  • The Types of joints movements allowed by synovial joints can be classified into several categories:


Types of joint movements

1. Gliding Movements

  • Simple sliding motion between flat bone surfaces.

  • Example: Intercarpal joints in the wrist.



2. Angular Movements

Types:

  1. Flexion: Decreasing the angle between two bones. Example: Bending the elbow.

  2. Extension: Increasing the angle between two bones. Example: Straightening the elbow.

  3. Hyperextension: Extension beyond the normal range of motion. Example: Bending the head backward.

  4. Abduction: Movement away from the midline of the body. Example: Raising the arm sideways.

  5. Adduction: Movement toward the midline of the body. Example: Bringing the arm back to the side.

  6. Circumduction: A circular movement combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. Example: Moving the arm in a circular motion.

3. Rotational Movements

Types:

  1. Medial (Internal) Rotation: Rotation towards the midline. Example: Rotating the thigh inward.

  2. Lateral (External) Rotation: Rotation away from the midline. Example: Rotating the thigh outward.

4. Special Movements

Types:

  1. Supination: Turning the palm upward. Example: Rotating the forearm so the palm faces up.

  2. Pronation: Turning the palm downward. Example: Rotating the forearm so the palm faces down.

  3. Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot inward.

  4. Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot outward.

  5. Dorsiflexion: Bending the foot upward at the ankle.

  6. Plantarflexion: Bending the foot downward at the ankle.

  7. Protraction: Moving a body part forward. Example: Pushing the jaw forward.

  8. Retraction: Moving a body part backward. Example: Pulling the jaw backward.

  9. Elevation: Lifting a body part. Example: Shrugging the shoulders.

  10. Depression: Lowering a body part. Example: Dropping the shoulders.


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