TYPES OF MOVEMENT
Describing Joint Movement
Ways in which joints move have
technical names.
 When describing a type of movement
always refer to the joint that is moving.
 Joint movements can be divided into four
groups: gliding, angular, circular and
special movements.

Gliding Movements
Gliding movements are the simplest of
all the types of movement.
 These movements occur in plane joints
between two flat or nearly flat surfaces
where the surfaces slide or glide over
each other.
 Only give slight movement.

Angular Movements


Angular motion decreases or increases
the angle between two adjoining bones.
The common movements are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Flexion
Extension
Hyper extension
Adduction
Abduction
Flexion/Extension

Flexion moves a
part of the body
in the anterior or
ventral direction.
 Extension moves
a part of the
body in a
posterior or
dorsal direction.
The
knee is an
exception to this rule
and is reversed.
(however the labels
are wrong in this
picture)
Flexion cont’d
Abduction/Adduction
Abduction is
movement
away from the
midline.
 Adduction is
movement
towards the
midline.

Hyperextension

Hyperextension moves a part of the body
beyond 180 degrees.
Circular Movement


Circular movements involve the rotation
of a structure around an axis or
movement of the structure in an arc.
These movements include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Rotation
Pronation
Supination
Circumduction
Rotation

Rotation is the turning of a structure
around its long axis.
Pronation/Supination

Pronation is the
rotation of the forearm
so that the palm faces
down when the arm is
flexed at the elbow.
 Supination is the
rotation of the forearm
so that the palm faces
up when the arm is
flexed at the elbow.
Circumduction

Circumduction is
a combination of
flexion, extension,
abduction, and
adduction.
Special Movements



Special movements are those
movements unique to only one or two
joints.
They don’t fit neatly into one of the
other categories
These include:
1.
2.
3.
Inversion/Eversion
Plantar flexion/Dorsi flexion
Elevation/Depression
Inversion/Eversion

Inversion turns the ankle
so that the plantar
surface of the foot faces
medially, toward the
opposite foot
 Eversion turns the ankle
so that the plantar
surface faces laterally,
away from the opposite
foot.
Plantar Flexion/Dorsiflexion

Plantar flexion is when
the foot is moved
towards the plantar
surface, such as when
standing on the toes.
 Dorsiflexion is when
the foot is moved
towards the shin, such
as when walking on
the heels.
Elevation/Depression

Elevation
moves a part
of the body
superiorly.
 Depression
moves a part
of the body
inferiorly.
Combination of Movements

Most movements that occur in the
course of normal activities are
combinations of the movements named
previously.