What is the term for drawing a limb away from the body?

The term for drawing a limb away from the body is "abduction." This movement involves the lateral movement of a body part, which commonly occurs at the shoulder or hip joints. For instance, when you lift your arm sideways away from your torso, that action is classified as abduction.

In contrast, adduction refers to the movement of a limb toward the body's midline, which is essentially the opposite action of abduction. Flexion describes the act of decreasing the angle between two body parts, such as bending the elbow or knee, while extension involves increasing that angle, straightening the arm or leg. Understanding these definitions is critical in anatomy, as they describe fundamental movements that are essential in both clinical assessments and physical activities.