Which term is used to describe an action that decreases the angle between body parts?

The term used to describe an action that decreases the angle between body parts is flexion. Flexion refers specifically to bending movements that occur at joints, such as bringing the forearm closer to the upper arm at the elbow or bending the knee to bring the lower leg closer to the thigh. This movement effectively reduces the angle between the two segments of the limb involved in the action.

Understanding this term is crucial for medical professionals, including scribes, as they record and interpret patient movements and diagnoses. Flexion is commonly discussed in the context of physical examinations and rehabilitation exercises, making it essential knowledge in the field of medicine. Other movements, like extension, refer to the opposite action of increasing the angle between body parts, while abduction and adduction refer to movements that involve the limbs moving away from or toward the midline of the body, respectively.