rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryabductionOutward body movement
noun

abduction

Movement of a body part away from the body's midline.

The therapist demonstrates shoulder abduction by raising an arm sideways.

Etymology
abLatinaway
+ducLatinlead
+tionLatinaction

Latin ab- and ducere express leading away. In anatomy, the thing led away is a limb or other body part, and the reference point is the body’s midline.

More examples

  • Hip abduction moves the leg away from the midline.
  • The exercise involves controlled abduction of the arm.
  • Pain limited the patient's range of abduction.

Forms

abduction