Which term describes movement toward the midline?

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

Answer: (C)

Adduction is movement toward the midline of the body. When a limb or part of the body is brought closer to the center, such as pulling the arm down to your side or bringing the knees together, that’s adduction. The opposite, abduction, moves away from the midline—like lifting the arm out to the side. Rotation involves turning a joint around its axis, which is not about moving toward or away from the midline. Flexion refers to bending a joint to decrease the angle between bones, which changes the shape of the joint rather than specifically moving toward the midline.