What term describes the movement away from the midline of the body?

The term that describes the movement away from the midline of the body is abduction. This term is derived from the Latin word "abducere," which means to lead away. In anatomical terms, abduction typically refers to the movement of limbs or other body parts away from the centerline of the body. For instance, when you raise your arms out to the sides, you are performing abduction at the shoulder joint.

Understanding abduction is crucial in sports medicine and physical therapy, as it helps practitioners evaluate and design exercises and rehabilitation programs that involve lateral movements. Other terms like adduction, flexion, and extension describe different types of movements: adduction is the movement toward the midline, while flexion and extension refer to bending and straightening movements, respectively. By grasping the concept of abduction, one can better comprehend the range of motion and functional movements involved in athletic performance and everyday activities.