Which movement increases the angle at a joint?

Which movement increases the angle at a joint?

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

Answer: (C)

Extending a joint means straightening it, which increases the angle between the two bones. For example, straightening the elbow from a bent position increases the angle between the upper arm and the forearm. Flexion does the opposite—bending the joint and reducing that angle. Abduction and adduction move the limb away from or toward the body's midline, respectively, and aren’t the motion that describes increasing the joint angle in the same direct sense.

Extending a joint means straightening it, which increases the angle between the two bones. For example, straightening the elbow from a bent position increases the angle between the upper arm and the forearm. Flexion does the opposite—bending the joint and reducing that angle. Abduction and adduction move the limb away from or toward the body's midline, respectively, and aren’t the motion that describes increasing the joint angle in the same direct sense.