Katie GravesKatie Graves

Do Something Cool ProjectHuman Anatomy and

PhysiologyBarbara Burckart

December 1, 2010

A Photographic Portrayal ofMovements Permitted in Synovial

Joints(includes)

FlexionExtensionAbductionAdductionSupinationPronationRotationInversionEversionElevation

Depression

Flexion of the KneeFlexion of the Knee

• The angle between the posterior thigh and leg decreases.

• Caused by the contraction of the semitendinosus, the semimembranosus, the biceps femoris (long head), the popliteus, the medial and lateral gastrocnemius, the sartorius, and the gracilis.

• During flexion, most ligaments are slack, allowing rotation in the joint.

Extension of the HipExtension of the Hip

• Caused by contraction of the gluteus maximus, the biceps femoris (long head), the semimembranosus, the semitendinosus, the gluteus medius (posterior), and the adductor magnus.

• In a grand arabesque (the position of the dancer in the photo), the hip extends as well as laterally rotates.

Abduction of the Little Abduction of the Little FingerFinger

• Movement of the little finger away from the middle finger.

• Caused by the contraction of the abductor digiti minimi.

Adduction of the Little Finger

• Movement of the little finger towards the middle finger.

• Caused by the contraction of the palmar interosseous muscles.

Supination of the Supination of the ForearmForearm

• Combined with the flexion of the elbow, the palm of the hand faces upward.

• Caused by the contraction of the supinator muscle, as well as the long and short head of the biceps brachii.

• The radius and ulna are situated parallel to one another.

• Supination can be easily confused with lateral rotation of the shoulder joint, but they are not the same function.

Pronation of the Pronation of the ForearmForearm

• Combined with the flexion of the elbow, the palm of the hand faces downward.

• Caused by the contraction of the humeral and ulner head of the pronator teres, the pronator quadrates, and the flexor carpi radialis.

• The radius crosses over the ulna.• Pronation can be easily confused with

medial rotation of the shoulder joint, but they are not the same function.

Inversion of the FootInversion of the Foot• Produced by a combination of adduction,

supination, and plantar flexion (extension).• Caused by the contraction of the flexor

digitorum longus, the tibialis anterior and posterior, the flexor hallucis longus, and the triceps surae.

• Occurs around the axis of Henke (an imaginary line that enters the posterolateral tuberosity of the calcaneus, runs anterosuperomedially, and exits through the medial neck of the talus).

• Inversion only applies to the feet.

Eversion of the FootEversion of the Foot

• Produced by abduction, pronation, and dorsiflexion (flexion).

• Caused by the contraction of the peroneus longus and brevis, the extensor digitorum longus (lateral part), and the peroneus tertius muscle (which is absent in some people).

• Also occurs around the axis of Henke, but is the opposite movement to Inversion.

• Eversion only applies to the feet.

Medial Rotation of the Medial Rotation of the ShoulderShoulder

• Specifically, the inward rotation of the humerus.

• Caused by the contraction of the subscapularis, the latissimus dorsi, the pectoralis major, the teres major, and the anterior deltoid.

• Often confused with pronation of the forearm.

Lateral Rotation of the Lateral Rotation of the ShoulderShoulder

• Specifically, the outward rotation of the humerus.

• Caused by the contraction of the infraspinatus, the teres minor, and the posterior deltoid.

• Often confused with supination of the forearm.

Elevation of the Elevation of the ScapulaScapula

• Lifting of the scapula.• Caused by the contraction of the upper

fibers of trapezius, the levator scapulae, and the rhomboids.

• Often pairs with flexion of the scapula (though this is a learned behavior).

• Fun fact: upper fibers of the trapezius muscles are overused in everyday activities.

Depression of the Depression of the ScapulaScapula

• Moves the scapula down.• Caused by the contraction of the

lower trapezius and the lower serratus anterior muscles.

WORKS CITED

Longenbaker, Susannah Nelson., and Sylvia S. Mader. Mader's Understanding Human Anatomy & Physiology. Boston, Massachusetts: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2008.

Calais-Germain, Blandine. Anatomy of Movement. Seattle: Eastland, 2007.