Which movement moves a limb toward the midline of the body?

Which movement moves a limb toward the midline of the body?

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

Answer: (B)

Adduction is the movement toward the body's midline. It describes bringing a limb closer to the center of the body, such as lowering the arm from an abducted (away from the side) position back toward the torso, or moving the thigh inward toward the other leg. In contrast, moving away from the midline is abduction. Flexion and extension refer to bending and straightening a joint (changing the angle between bones) rather than moving toward or away from the midline, so they don’t describe midline direction. Therefore, the action of moving a limb toward the midline is adduction.

Adduction is the movement toward the body's midline. It describes bringing a limb closer to the center of the body, such as lowering the arm from an abducted (away from the side) position back toward the torso, or moving the thigh inward toward the other leg. In contrast, moving away from the midline is abduction. Flexion and extension refer to bending and straightening a joint (changing the angle between bones) rather than moving toward or away from the midline, so they don’t describe midline direction. Therefore, the action of moving a limb toward the midline is adduction.