Abduction is defined as which of the following?

• A. Movement toward the midline of the body
• B. Movement away from the midline of the body
• C. Rotation of the limb around its axis
• D. Flexion of a joint

Answer: (C)

Abduction is movement away from the midline of the body. For example, lifting the arm out to the side or moving a leg away from the trunk describes abduction. This is different from adduction, which moves toward the midline; rotation, which is turning around an axis of the limb; and flexion, which bends a joint to reduce its angle. So the action that fits abduction is moving away from the midline.