Certified Electronic Health Records Specialist (CEHRS) Practice Exam

What type of joint movement would be classified as the opposite of abduction?

1. Adduction

2. Flexion

3. Pronation

4. Extension

The correct answer is: Adduction

Abduction refers to the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body. The opposite of this action is adduction, which involves moving a limb towards the midline. This classification is essential in understanding anatomical movements, particularly in fields related to health and physical therapy, where precise terminology enhances communication about patient movements and treatment plans. Flexion entails decreasing the angle between two body parts, usually involving bending a joint, and does not directly counteract abduction. Pronation involves turning a body part, often the forearm or foot, and is also distinct from the terms related to movement towards or away from the midline. Extension refers to increasing the angle at a joint, which, like flexion, does not have a direct relationship with abduction or adduction. Thus, adduction is appropriately identified as the movement that counteracts abduction, solidifying it as the correct answer in this context.