List of movements of the human body explained

The list below describes such skeletal movements as normally are possible in particular joints of the human body. Other animals have different degrees of movement at their respective joints; this is because of differences in positions of muscles and because structures peculiar to the bodies of humans and other species block motions unsuited to their anatomies.

Arm and shoulder

See main article: Sternoclavicular joint, Acromioclavicular joint and Shoulder joint.

Shoulder

See main article: Shoulder.

Movements of the shoulder joint.[1]
Movement Muscles Origin Insertion
Flexion
(150°–170°)
Anterior fibers of deltoidClavicleMiddle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus
Clavicular part of pectoralis majorClavicleLateral lip of bicipital groove of humerus
Long head of biceps brachiiSupraglenoid tubercle of scapulaTuberosity of radius, Deep fascia of forearm
Short head of biceps brachiiCoracoid process of scapula
CoracobrachialisCoracoid processMedial aspect of shaft of humerus
Extension
(40°)
Posterior fibers of deltoidSpine of scapulaMiddle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus
Latissimus dorsiIliac crest, lumbar fascia, spines of lower six thoracic vertebrae, lower 3–4 ribs, inferior angle of scapulaFloor of bicipital groove of humerus
Teres majorLateral border of scapulaMedial lip of bicipital groove of humerus
Abduction
(160°–180°)
Middle fibers of deltoidAcromion process of scapulaMiddle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus
SupraspinatusSupraspinous fossa of scapulaGreater tubercle of humerus
Adduction
(30°–40°)
Sternal part of pectoralis majorSternum, upper six costal cartilagesLateral lip of bicipital groove of humerus
Latissimus dorsiIliac crest, lumbar fascia, spines of lower six thoracic vertebrae, lower 3-4 ribs, inferior angle of scapulaFloor of bicipital groove of humerus
Teres majorLower third of lateral border of scapulaMedial lip of bicipital groove of humerus
Teres minorUpper two thirds of lateral border of scapulaGreater tubercle of humerus
Lateral rotation
(
)
InfraspinatusInfraspinous fossa of scapulaGreater tubercle of humerus
Teres minorUpper two thirds of lateral border of scapulaGreater tubercle of humerus
Posterior fibers of deltoidSpine of scapulaMiddle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus
Medial rotation
(
)
SubscapularisSubscapular fossaLesser tubercle of humerus
Latissimus dorsiIliac crest, lumbar fascia, spines of lower 3-4 ribs, inferior angle of scapulaFloor of bicipital groove of humerus
Teres majorLower third of lateral border of scapulaMedial lip of bicipital groove of humerus
Anterior fibers of deltoidClavicleMiddle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus

The major muscles involved in retraction include the rhomboid major muscle, rhomboid minor muscle and trapezius muscle,[2] [3] whereas the major muscles involved in protraction include the serratus anterior and pectoralis minor muscles.[4] [5]

Sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints

See main article: SC joint and AC joint.

Scapula and claviculaAbduction (Protraction)Adduction (Retraction)
DepressionElevation
Rotation Upward (Superior Rotation)Rotation Downward (Inferior Rotation)

Elbow

See main article: Elbow, Proximal radioulnar joint, Distal radioulnar joint and Humeroulnar joint.

Joint From To Description
Is a simple hinge-joint, and allows of movements of flexion and extension only.
Is a ball-and-socket joint.
In any position of flexion or extension, the radius, carrying the hand with it, can be rotated in it. This movement includespronation and supination.

Wrist and fingers

See main article: Wrist, finger and thumb.

Wrist & MidcarpalsFlexionExtension / Hyperextension
Adduction (Ulna Deviation)Abduction (Radial Deviation)

Movements of the fingers

MetacarpophalangealFlexionExtension / Hyperextension
AdductionAbduction
InterphalangealFlexionExtension

Movements of the thumb

Carpometacarpal (thumb)FlexionExtension
AdductionAbduction
Opposition
Metacarpophalangeal (thumb)FlexionExtension
AdductionAbduction
Interphalangeal (thumb)FlexionExtension / Hyperextension

Neck

See main article: Atlantooccipital articulation and atlantoaxial articulation.

Neck (Atlantoccipital & Antlantoaxial)FlexionExtension / Hyperextension
Lateral Flexion (Abduction)Reduction (Adduction)
Rotation

Spine

See main article: Cervical spine and thoracic spine.

Cervical spineFlexionExtension / Hyperextension
Lateral Flexion (Abduction)Reduction (Adduction)
Rotation
Thoracic spineFlexionExtension / Hyperextension
Lateral Flexion (Abduction)Reduction (Adduction)
Rotation
Lumbar spineFlexionExtension / Hyperextension
Lateral Flexion (Abduction)Reduction (Adduction)
Rotation

Lower limb

Hip (acetabulofemoral joint)FlexionExtension
AdductionAbduction
Transverse AdductionTransverse Abduction
Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation)Lateral Rotation (External Rotation)

Knees

See main article: Knee.

KneeFlexionExtension
Medial Rotation (Internal Rotation)Lateral Rotation (External Rotation)
AnklePlantar FlexionDorsi Flexion

Feet

See main article: Intertarsal, metatarsophalangeal and Interphalangeal articulations of foot.

Intertarsal - (foot)InversionEversion
Plantarflexion
Metatarsophalangeal (toes)FlexionExtension / Hyperextension
AbductionAdduction
Interphalangeal (toes)FlexionExtension

The muscles tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior invert the foot. Some sources also state that the triceps surae and extensor hallucis longus invert. Inversion occurs at the subtalar joint and transverse tarsal joint.[6]

Eversion of the foot occurs at the subtalar joint. The muscles involved in this include fibularis longus and fibularis brevis, which are innervated by the superficial fibular nerve. Some sources also state that the fibularis tertius everts.[7]

Dorsiflexion of the foot: The muscles involved include those of the Anterior compartment of leg, specifically tibialis anterior muscle, extensor hallucis longus muscle, extensor digitorum longus muscle, and peroneus tertius. The range of motion for dorsiflexion indicated in the literature varies from 12.2[8] to 18[9] degrees.[10] Foot drop is a condition, that occurs when dorsiflexion is difficult for an individual who is walking.

Plantarflexion of the foot: Primary muscles for plantar flexion are situated in the Posterior compartment of leg, namely the superficial Gastrocnemius, Soleus and Plantaris (only weak participation), and the deep muscles Flexor hallucis longus, Flexor digitorum longus and Tibialis posterior. Muscles in the Lateral compartment of leg also weakly participate, namely the Fibularis longus and Fibularis brevis muscles. Those in the lateral compartment only have weak participation in plantar flexion though. The range of motion for plantar flexion is usually indicated in the literature as 30° to 40°, but sometimes also 50°. The nerves are primarily from the sacral spinal cord roots S1 and S2. Compression of S1 roots may result in weakness in plantarflexion; these nerves run from the lower back to the bottom of the foot.

Pronation at the forearm is a rotational movement at the radioulnar joint, or of the foot at the subtalar and talocalcaneonavicular joints.[11] [12] For the forearm, when standing in the anatomical position, pronation will move the palm of the hand from an anterior-facing position to a posterior-facing position without an associated movement at the shoulder joint). This corresponds to a counterclockwise twist for the right forearm and a clockwise twist for the left (when viewed superiorly). In the forearm, this action is performed by pronator quadratus and pronator teres muscle. Brachioradialis puts the forearm into a midpronated/supinated position from either full pronation or supination. For the foot, pronation will cause the sole of the foot to face more laterally than when standing in the anatomical position.

Pronation of the foot is a compound movement that combines abduction, eversion, and dorsiflexion. Regarding posture, a pronated foot is one in which the heel bone angles inward and the arch tends to collapse. Pronation is the motion of the inner and outer ball of the foot with the heel bone.[13] One is said to be "knock-kneed" if one has overly pronated feet. It flattens the arch as the foot strikes the ground in order to absorb shock when the heel hits the ground, and to assist in balance during mid-stance. If habits develop, this action can lead to foot pain as well as knee pain, shin splints, achilles tendinitis, posterior tibial tendinitis, piriformis syndrome, and plantar fasciitis..

Notes and References

  1. Book: Snell , Richard S. . Clinical Anatomy by Systems. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. 427–428.
  2. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~anatomy/shoulder/surface/scsurface4.html shoulder/surface/scsurface4
  3. http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Scapula.html#anchor71014 Scapula & Clavicle Articulations
  4. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~anatomy/shoulder/surface/scsurface3.html shoulder/surface/scsurface3
  5. http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Scapula.html#anchor70306 Animation at exrx.net
  6. Web site: Gross Anatomy: Functional Anatomy Of The Ankle And Foot . December 18, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090823072214/http://www.upstate.edu/cdb/grossanat/limbs9.shtml# . 2009-08-23 . dead .
  7. Book: Kyung Won, PhD. Chung . Gross Anatomy (Board Review) . Lippincott Williams & Wilkins . 2005 . 0-7817-5309-0 .
  8. Boone . Donna C. . Azen . Stanley P. . Normal range of motion of joints in male subjects . The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery . July 1979 . 61-A . 756–759 . 24 October 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130526131315/http://jbjs.org/pdfaccess.ashx?ResourceID=23647&PDFSource=17 . 26 May 2013 . dead .
  9. Book: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Joint Motion: Method of Measuring and Recording. 1965. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Chicago.
  10. Roaas . Asbjørn . Andersson . Gunnar B. J. . Normal Range of Motion of the Hip, Knee and Ankle Joints in Male Subjects, 30–40 Years of Age . Acta Orthopaedica . 1982 . 53 . 2 . 205–208 . 10.3109/17453678208992202.
  11. Book: Kendall . F. P. . McCreary . E. K. . Provance . P. G. . Muscles Testing and Function . 1993 . 4th . Lippincott Williams and Wilkins . 0-683-04576-8.
  12. Book: Brukner . P. . Khan . K. . Clinical Sports Medicine . 1993 . 1st . McGraw-Hill Book Company . 0-07-452852-1.
  13. Web site: Foot in the bottom of the foot – RealHealthyNet . Realhealthynet.com . July 11, 2012 . August 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130719182112/http://realhealthynet.com/2012/07/foot-in-the-bottom-of-the-foot/foot-in-the-bottom-of-the-foot/# . 2013-07-19 . dead .