What does the term abduction refer to in limb movement?

The term abduction in limb movement refers specifically to movement away from the midline of the body. This action involves increasing the angle between the limb and the central axis of the body. For example, when you raise your arms or legs sideways away from your body, you are performing abduction. This term is used to describe actions in various joints, including the shoulders and hips.

In contrast to abduction, adduction is the movement towards the midline. Understanding these terms is crucial in fields involving anatomy and kinesiology because they help professionals describe and analyze movements accurately. Recognizing the distinction between these concepts is essential for orthotic fitters, as they often assess and design devices that influence limb movement patterns.