"Abduction" and "adduction" are terms used to describe the movement of body parts. In abduction, the body part moves away from the body/the midline. In adduction, the opposite occurs.
Examples from the body
- Shoulder: When you move your arm sideways up, you are performing abduction. When you bring the arm back to your body, that is adduction.
- Wrist: When you spread your fingers, that is abduction. When you bring them back together, that is adduction.
Not every joint can make these movements. For example, hinge joints, such as the knee and elbow, can only bend, rotate, and extend and cannot perform abduction or adduction.
These terms are mainly used by (para)medical professionals, such as physicians and physical therapists, to communicate more precisely about the mobility of a body part. As a patient, you do not have to be familiar with these terms, but they can help you better understand a medical report.