Which term describes motion away from the body's midline?

The term that describes motion away from the body's midline is abduction. This movement can be observed in various parts of the body; for example, when you lift your arms or legs sideways away from your body, you are performing abduction. In a broader sense, abduction refers to any movement that increases the angle between the limb and the midline of the body.

Understanding this term is crucial in fields such as anatomy and physical therapy, where recognizing different types of movements is essential for treatment and rehabilitation planning. It is also important in sports medicine and fitness, where proper movement mechanics are emphasized to prevent injuries. The other terms refer to different types of movements: adduction brings body parts closer to the midline, flexion decreases the angle at a joint, and extension increases the angle at a joint. Each of these terms plays a unique role in describing the mechanics of human motion.