Articulations

Understanding the articulations and movements of the human body is fundamental for anyone involved in physical training, rehabilitation, or anatomy education. Each joint in the body allows for specific types of movements, which contribute to our overall mobility and functionality. In this guide, we will explore the various articulations, including the scapula and clavicle, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, fingers, thumb, neck, spine, hip, knee, ankle, foot, and toes. Each section will detail the types of movements that these joints facilitate, providing a comprehensive overview of how our bodies achieve motion. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a student of anatomy, or a healthcare professional, this guide will enhance your understanding of human biomechanics and help you apply this knowledge effectively in your field.

Scapula & Clavicle (Sternoclavicular, Acromioclavicular, Coracoclavicular)

• Abduction (Protraction): Movement of the scapula away from the spine.
• Adduction (Retraction): Movement of the scapula towards the spine.
• Depression: Lowering the scapula.
• Elevation: Raising the scapula.
• Rotation Upward (Superior Rotation): Rotating the scapula so that the glenoid cavity moves upward.
• Rotation Downward (Inferior Rotation): Rotating the scapula so that the glenoid cavity moves downward.

Shoulder (Glenohumeral)

• Flexion: Raising the arm forward and upward.
• Extension / Hyperextension: Moving the arm backward.
• Adduction: Moving the arm towards the body.
• Abduction: Moving the arm away from the body.
• Transverse Adduction: Moving the arm across the body.
• Transverse Flexion: Moving the arm across the body horizontally.
• Transverse Abduction: Moving the arm away from the body horizontally.
• Transverse Extension: Moving the arm away from the body horizontally.
• Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation): Rotating the arm inward.
• Lateral Rotation (External Rotation): Rotating the arm outward.

Elbow

• Flexion: Bending the elbow.
• Extension: Straightening the elbow.

Forearm (Radioulnar)

• Pronation: Rotating the forearm so the palm faces down.
• Supination: Rotating the forearm so the palm faces up.

Wrist & Midcarpals

• Flexion: Bending the wrist forward.
• Extension / Hyperextension: Bending the wrist backward.
• Adduction (Ulnar Deviation): Moving the wrist towards the ulna.
• Abduction (Radial Deviation): Moving the wrist towards the radius.

Fingers (Metacarpophalangeal)

• Flexion: Bending the fingers.
• Extension / Hyperextension: Straightening the fingers.
• Adduction: Bringing the fingers together.
• Abduction: Spreading the fingers apart.

Fingers (Interphalangeal)

• Flexion: Bending the finger joints.
• Extension: Straightening the finger joints.

Thumb (Carpometacarpal)

• Flexion: Bending the thumb towards the palm.
• Extension: Moving the thumb away from the palm.
• Adduction: Bringing the thumb towards the index finger.
• Abduction: Moving the thumb away from the index finger.
• Opposition: Moving the thumb to touch the fingertips.

Thumb (Metacarpophalangeal)

• Flexion: Bending the thumb at the knuckle.
• Extension: Straightening the thumb at the knuckle.
• Adduction: Bringing the thumb closer to the palm.
• Abduction: Moving the thumb away from the palm.

Thumb (Interphalangeal)

• Flexion: Bending the thumb at the joint.
• Extension / Hyperextension: Straightening the thumb at the joint.

Neck (Atlantoccipital & Antlantoaxial)

• Flexion: Bending the neck forward.
• Extension / Hyperextension: Bending the neck backward.
• Lateral Flexion (Abduction): Bending the neck to the side.
• Reduction (Adduction): Returning the neck to an upright position.
• Rotation: Turning the neck from side to side.

Spine (Cervical)

• Flexion: Bending the cervical spine forward.
• Extension / Hyperextension: Bending the cervical spine backward.
• Lateral Flexion (Abduction): Bending the cervical spine to the side.
• Reduction (Adduction): Returning the cervical spine to an upright position.
• Rotation: Twisting the cervical spine.

Spine (Thoracic, Lumbar)

• Flexion: Bending the thoracic and lumbar spine forward.
• Extension / Hyperextension: Bending the thoracic and lumbar spine backward.
• Lateral Flexion (Abduction): Bending the thoracic and lumbar spine to the side.
• Reduction (Adduction): Returning the thoracic and lumbar spine to an upright position.
• Rotation: Twisting the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Hip

• Flexion: Raising the leg forward.
• Extension: Moving the leg backward.
• Adduction: Bringing the leg towards the midline.
• Abduction: Moving the leg away from the midline.
• Transverse Adduction: Moving the leg across the body.
• Transverse Abduction: Moving the leg away from the body horizontally.
• Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation): Rotating the leg inward.
• Lateral Rotation (External Rotation): Rotating the leg outward.

Knee

• Flexion: Bending the knee.
• Extension: Straightening the knee.
• Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation): Rotating the leg inward when the knee is bent.
• Lateral Rotation (External Rotation): Rotating the leg outward when the knee is bent.

Ankle

• Plantar Flexion: Pointing the toes downward.
• Dorsiflexion: Raising the toes upward.

Foot (Intertarsal)

• Inversion: Turning the sole of the foot inward.
• Eversion: Turning the sole of the foot outward.
• Plantarflexion: Pointing the toes downward.

Toes (Metatarsophalangeal)

• Flexion: Bending the toes.
• Extension / Hyperextension: Straightening the toes.
• Abduction: Spreading the toes apart.
• Adduction: Bringing the toes together.

Toes (Interphalangeal)

• Flexion: Bending the toe joints.
• Extension: Straightening the toe joints.

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