What term refers to the movement of a body part around its own axis?

The term that refers to the movement of a body part around its own axis is rotation. This movement involves a bone or body part turning in a circular motion around its central point or axis. For example, when you turn your head side to side, your neck vertebrae are allowing for rotation. This is distinct from other types of movements: circumduction refers to moving the limb in a circular manner but involves a combination of movements at multiple joints, while extension and flexion are specific movements related to increasing or decreasing the angle between two body parts, such as straightening or bending a limb. Understanding these distinctions is key to grasping how different joints and muscles facilitate movement in the body.