What does adduction refer to in body movement?

Adduction refers to the movement of a body part toward the midline of the body. This term is commonly used in anatomy to describe movements of limbs or digits. For instance, when you lower your arms from a raised position towards your body, you are performing adduction of the arms. It is an important concept in understanding how various joints and muscles function in coordination to perform movements.

In contrast, movements away from the midline are classified as abduction, while rotation of a limb pertains to a different type of motion altogether. The term describing movement in a circular path typically refers to circumduction, which combines flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for accurately describing physical movements in medical and training contexts.