Which term defines the movement when a limb is moved away from the body's midline?

The term that defines the movement when a limb is moved away from the body's midline is known as abduction. This term is derived from the Latin word "abductio," which means "to lead away." In anatomical terms, abduction is used to describe the movement of limbs, fingers, or toes outward from the center of the body.

For example, when you raise your arms to the side, away from your torso, you are performing an abduction movement. This is a crucial concept in physical therapy, as understanding different types of movements helps in designing appropriate rehabilitation exercises and treatments for patients.

In contrast, adduction refers to movement toward the midline of the body; flexion describes decreasing the angle between two body parts (such as bending the elbow), while extension increases that angle (such as straightening out the elbow). Recognizing these distinctions is important for accurately describing motions and understanding how to guide patients through exercises.