Which term means movement toward the midline?

• A. Flexion
• B. Adduction
• C. Abduction
• D. Extension

Answer: (B)

Movement toward the midline is called adduction. The midline is the imaginary vertical line that divides the body into left and right halves. When a limb moves toward that line—such as bringing the arm down to your side or bringing the legs together—that is adduction. By contrast, moving away from the midline is abduction (like lifting the arms out to the sides). Flexion and extension describe bending or straightening a joint, not direction toward or away from the midline.