Types of Movements at
Synovial Joints
Groups of Movements
Gliding
Angular
Rotation
Special Movements
Gliding
A simple movement in which relatively flat
bone surfaces move back-and-forth and
side-to-side relative to one another.
Limited in range by the articular capsule
and ligaments of the joint
Occurs in Planar Jonits (carpals, tarsals,
sternoclavicular)
Angular Movements
There is an increase or decrease in the angle
between articulating bones

Flexion, Extensions, Abduction, Adduction
Flexion/Extension
Flexion - A decrease in the angle between
articulating bones
Extension – An increase in the angle
between articulating bones
Found in hinge, pivot, condyloid, saddle
and ball-and-socket joints
HYPEREXTENSION – extension beyond
anatomical position
Abduction/Adduction
Abduction – movement away from the
midline of the body
Adduction – movement toward the midline
of the body
Found at condyloid, saddle and ball and
socket joints
Circumduction
Movement of the distal end of a body part
in a circle
Found at ball-and-socket joints
Rotation
A bone revolves around its own longitudinal
axis
Found at pivot and ball and socket joints
Special Movements
Occur only at certain joints
Include elevation, depression, protraction,
retraction, inversion, eversion, dorsiflection,
plantar flexion, supination and pronation
Elevation - upward movement of a body
part (closing your mouth)
Depression – downward movement of a
body part (opening your mouth)
Protraction – movement of a body part
forward (mandible or clavicles)
Retraction – returning a protracted part to
anatomical position
Inversion – movement of the soles medially
so they face each other
Eversion – movement of the soles laterally
so they are away from eachother
Dorsiflexion – Bending the feet upward
(like standing on your heals)
Plantar Flexion – Bending the feet down
(like standing on your toes)
Supination – turning the palm upward
Pronation – turning the palm downward