Which movement moves a limb away from the midline?

Which movement moves a limb away from the midline?

• A. Abduction
• B. Adduction
• C. Flexion
• D. Extension

Answer: (A)

Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the body's midline. When you lift your arm out to the side or spread your fingers apart, you’re performing abduction. This contrasts with adduction, which brings a limb toward the midline (like lowering the arm to your side or bringing the fingers together). Flexion and extension describe changes in joint angle: flexion decreases the angle between bones (such as bending the elbow or bringing the hand toward the face), while extension increases that angle (straightening the elbow or leg). Since the described motion moves the limb away from the midline, abduction is the correct term.

Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the body's midline. When you lift your arm out to the side or spread your fingers apart, you’re performing abduction. This contrasts with adduction, which brings a limb toward the midline (like lowering the arm to your side or bringing the fingers together). Flexion and extension describe changes in joint angle: flexion decreases the angle between bones (such as bending the elbow or bringing the hand toward the face), while extension increases that angle (straightening the elbow or leg). Since the described motion moves the limb away from the midline, abduction is the correct term.