The patient performs adduction movements as part of his therapy. What does adduction mean?

• A. Rotation of a limb around its long axis
• B. Movement of a limb toward the midline of the body
• C. Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body
• D. Bending a joint to decrease the angle between two bones

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the term 'adduction' by breaking it down: 'ad-' means 'toward' and '-duction' refers to movement. Therefore, adduction is the movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.
2. Compare adduction with its opposite, abduction. Abduction refers to moving a limb away from the midline of the body, while adduction is the opposite action.
3. Visualize the midline of the body, which is an imaginary vertical line dividing the body into left and right halves. Adduction involves moving a limb closer to this line.
4. Relate adduction to common examples in therapy or daily activities, such as bringing the arms or legs closer to the body during exercises.
5. Eliminate the incorrect options: Rotation of a limb around its long axis refers to 'rotation,' bending a joint to decrease the angle between two bones refers to 'flexion,' and movement away from the midline refers to 'abduction.' The correct definition of adduction is movement of a limb toward the midline of the body.