Which action is referred to by the term extension in anatomy?

In anatomical terms, extension refers to the action of straightening out a limb or part of the body. When you extend a joint, you increase the angle between two body parts. For example, when you straighten your arm or leg from a bent position, you are performing an extension movement. This action is the opposite of flexion, which involves bending and decreasing the angle between body parts.

Understanding extension is crucial in fields such as physical therapy, sports science, and anatomy education, as it helps professionals describe movements accurately and understand how the body functions during various activities. For example, when analyzing movements in sports, recognizing when a joint is extended can be important for assessing technique or injury risk.