What is the term for movement away from the midline of the body?

The term for movement away from the midline of the body is abduction. In anatomical terms, abduction specifically refers to the action of taking a limb or body part outwards, effectively increasing the angle between that limb and the body’s midline. This movement is commonly observed when a person raises their arms or legs sideways away from the torso.

In contrast, adduction refers to movement towards the midline, so it directly opposes abduction. Flexion and extension are movements that involve bending or straightening limbs, typically around a joint, and while they are important concepts in kinesiology, they do not describe lateral movement in relation to the midline. Understanding these terms is essential in the study of biomechanics and anatomy, particularly when discussing the movements of the body.