What is the term for the motion of a limb toward the midline?

The term for the motion of a limb toward the midline is adduction. This action involves moving a body part closer to the central axis of the body. For instance, when you bring your arms down to your sides from an outstretched position, you are performing adduction. This movement is crucial in activities that require the limbs to move closer together or to stabilize the body.

In contrast, abduction refers to the movement of a limb away from the midline, extension involves increasing the angle between body parts (like straightening a bent arm), and circumduction describes a circular movement that combines flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction, typically seen in ball-and-socket joints such as the shoulder. Understanding these terms is vital for accurately describing physical movements, particularly in a medical or anatomical context.