What is the movement away from the midline of the body called?

The movement away from the midline of the body is referred to as abduction. This term comes from the Latin word "abducere," meaning "to lead away." In anatomical terms, when a limb or body part moves laterally away from the centerline of the body, it is performing abduction. For example, when you raise your arm out to the side, you are abducting it from the midline of your body.

Flexion, on the other hand, refers to decreasing the angle between two body parts, such as bending the elbow. Adduction is the opposite of abduction; it describes the movement of a limb toward the midline. Extension involves increasing the angle between body parts, such as straightening a bent elbow. Understanding these terms is crucial for accurately describing movements in physical therapy and anatomy.