External rotation is the rotation of a joint in which direction?

• A. Rotation toward the middle of the body
• B. Rotation away from the middle of the body
• C. Rotation around the long axis of the limb
• D. Rotation with circumduction

Answer: (B)

External rotation means turning the limb about its long axis so that the front of the limb moves away from the body's midline. In practical terms, think of your arm or leg rotating outward, so the anterior surface moves away from the midline, not toward it. Internal rotation would be the opposite, toward the midline. Rotation around the long axis describes the axis of movement, but the question is asking the direction relative to the body—away from the midline. Circumduction is a circular combination of movements and isn’t a single rotational direction.