What is the action of bringing a limb closer to the central axis of the body?

The action of bringing a limb closer to the central axis of the body is termed adduction. This term specifically describes the movement toward the midline of the body, which is essential in various physical activities and rehabilitation exercises.

Adduction is often contrasted with abduction, which is the movement away from the midline. Understanding this distinction is critical in physical therapy, as it helps in assessing and planning rehabilitation strategies to improve a patient's range of motion and strength in different planes of movement.

Flexion refers to the bending motion that decreases the angle between body parts, while extension is the opposite action, increasing the angle. These terms apply to different types of movement relating to joints and do not specifically describe the movement toward or away from the body's midline.