Muscle movements, types, and names

1. Muscle movements, types, and names

2. Types of body movements • Every one of our our 600+ skeletal muscles is attached to bone or to other connective tissue structures at no less than two points • These points are called the origin and the insertion

3. Origin vs. Insertion • The origin of a muscle is the site where it is attached to immovable or less movable bone • The insertion of a muscle is the site where it is attached to the movable bone and therefore, when the muscle contracts, the insertion moves toward the origin.

4. Types of body movements • There are 12 body movements that are the most common. • All of these movements occur because our muscles are working in tandem with our skeletal system.

5. Flexion • Flexion is a movement generally in the sagittal plane, that decreases the angle of the joint and brings 2 bones closer together • Flexion is typical of hinge joints but can also happen at ball and socket joints

6. Extension • Extension is the opposite of flexion • Therefore, it is a movement that increases the angle or the distance between two bones • If the angle created by extension is greater than 180 degrees it is called hyperextension.

7. Abduction • Abduction is moving a limb away from the midline of the body • This movement also refers to the spreading of fingers or toes

8. Adduction • Adduction is the opposite of abduction so it is the movement of a limb toward the body’s midline.

9. Rotation • Rotation is movement of a bone around its longitudinal axis. • Rotation is a common movement of ball and socket joints and describes the movement of the C1 and C2 vertebrae ( as in shaking your head “no”)

10. Circumduction • Circumduction is a combination of flexion, extension, abduction and adduction that is common in ball and socket joints such as the shoulder • This can be done when the proximal end of the limb is stationary and its distal end moves in a circle.

11. Pronation • Pronation is the moving of the palm of the hand from anterior to a posterior position • This action moves the distal end of the radius across the ulna

12. Supination • Supination is moving the palm from a posterior position to an anterior position • It is the opposite of pronation

13. Inversion and Eversion • Inversion is the the turning of the sole of the foot so that it faces medially • Eversion is the turning of the sole of the foot laterally

14. Dorsiflexion and Plantar Flexion • Dorsiflexion is the movement at the ankle that moves the instep of the foot up and dorsally toward the shin • Plantar flexion straightens the ankle joint causing the toes to point downards