Which term describes movement of a limb toward the midline?

• A. Flexion
• B. Abduction
• C. Adduction
• D. Rotation

Answer: (C)

Moving a limb toward the body's midline is adduction. The midline is an imaginary line that runs down the center of the body, so when a limb is brought closer to that line, the distance from the limb to the midline decreases. For example, bringing the arm down to your side or bringing the legs together along the midline are adductive movements.

Flexion involves bending a joint to reduce the angle between bones, such as bending the elbow. Abduction is the opposite of adduction—it moves the limb away from the midline, like lifting the arm out to the side. Rotation means turning a limb around its long axis, such as turning your head or rotating the arm at the shoulder.