The document provides an introduction to the various movements of the human body, highlighting the complex interactions of bones, joints, muscles, and tendons. It categorizes movements based on joint type and direction, defining terms such as flexion, extension, abduction, and rotation, along with examples for each. Additionally, it includes movements specific to the foot and discusses concepts like elevation, depression, and opposition.

1. Movements of Human
Body (Basic Intro)
PREPARED BY
SOMA BALAJI PT
MSK & SPORTS

2.  The human body is capable of a wide range of
movements.
 It is because of its complex structure of bones, joints,
muscles, and tendons.
 Below in this PPT there is a comprehensive list of the major
types of movements that can occur in the human body,
divided by the type of joint and the direction of movement:

3. 1. Flexion
•Definition: Decreasing the angle between two body parts.
•Example: Bending the elbow or knee.

4. 2. Extension
•Definition: Increasing the angle between two body parts,
essentially straightening a joint.
•Example: Straightening the elbow or knee.

5. 3. Hyperextension
•Definition: Extending a joint beyond its normal range of
motion.
•Example: Knee hyperextension, Bending the head
backward.

6. 4. Abduction
•Definition: Movement of a limb away from the midline of
the body.
•Example: Raising the arm sideways away from the body.

7. 5. Adduction
•Definition: Movement of a limb toward the midline of the
body.
•Example: Bringing the arm back down to the side of the body.

8. 6. Rotation
•Definition: Movement of a body part around its axis.
•Example: Turning the head to the left or right.

9. 7. Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation)
•Definition: Rotating a body part toward the midline of the
body.
•Example: Turning the arm inward so the palm faces the
body.

10. 8. Lateral Rotation (External Rotation)
•Definition: Rotating a body part away from the midline of
the body.
•Example: Turning the arm outward so the palm faces
away from the body.

11. 9. Circumduction
•Definition: Circular movement of a limb, combining flexion,
extension, abduction, and adduction.
•Example: Moving the arm in a circular motion, such as when
making a windmill motion.

12. 10. Pronation
•Definition: Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces
downward or posteriorly.
•Example: Turning the palm down when the arm is in an
anatomical position.

13. 11. Supination
•Definition: Rotation of the forearm so that the palm faces
upward or anteriorly.
•Example: Turning the palm up when the arm is in an
anatomical position.

14. 12 & 13 . Inversion and Eversion
 Type of supination (Foot towards midline) and
pronation (Foot away to midline) in foot.
 Refer to 10 & 11.
 Example: Rolling the ankle inward and outward.

15. 14. Dorsiflexion
•Definition: Movement of the foot upwards, decreasing the
angle between the foot and the shin.
•Example: Lifting the toes upwards towards the shin.

16. 15. Plantarflexion
•Definition: Movement of the foot downward, increasing the angle
between the foot and the shin.
•Example: Pointing the toes downward, as in standing on tiptoe.

17. 16. Elevation
•Definition: Moving a body part upward.
•Example: Raising the shoulders (shrugging).

18. 17. Depression
•Definition: Moving a body part downward.
•Example: Lowering the shoulders back down after a shrug.

19. 18. Protraction
•Definition: Moving a body part forward, away from the midline of
the body.
•Example: Moving the jaw forward (protrusion) or shoulder blade
protraction.

20. 19. Retraction
•Definition: Moving a body part backward, toward the midline of
the body.
•Example: Pulling the jaw back or retracting the scapula
(shoulder blades).

21. 20. Opposition
•Definition: Movement of the thumb to touch the tip of another
finger, allowing grasping and manipulation.
•Example: Bringing the thumb across the palm.

22. 21. Reposition
• Definition: Movement that returns the thumb to its normal
position from opposition.
• Example: Moving the thumb back to its resting position
alongside the other fingers.

23. 22. Lateral Flexion
•Definition: Bending of the trunk or neck to the side.
•Example: Bending the torso or head sideways.