flexion
(noun)
The act of bending a joint. The counteraction of extension.
Examples of flexion in the following topics:
-
Dermatomes
-
Synovial Joint Movements
- Flexion is bending the limbs (reduction of angle) at a joint.
-
Stability and Range of Motion at Synovial Joints
- During the last portion of the stride, as the foot undergoes plantar flexion (pointing the toes downward), the stored elastic energy is released.
- Certain joints exhibit special movements including elevation, depression, protraction, retraction, inversion, eversion, dorsiflexion, plantar flexion, supination, pronation, and opposition.
-
Fourth Week of Development
- The fourth week of gestation is characterized by the flexion of the superior portion of the neural tube to create the mesencephalon.
-
Types of Synovial Joints
- These joints act as a hinge, allowing flexion and extension in just one plane.
- Some classifications make a distinction between condyloid and ellipsoid joints, but both allow flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, and circumduction movements.
-
Functional Classification of Joints
-
Muscles of the Shoulder
- Actions – The anterior region assists the pectoralis major during transverse flexion of the shoulder and acts weakly in strict transverse flexion.
- The lateral region assists in shoulder flexion when the shoulder is rotating, although it also assists the transverse abduction of the shoulder.
-
Lever Systems
- Flexion decreases the angle and extension increases the angle.
- For example, extension of the arm opens the angle of the elbow joint, while flexion allows for the bending of the arm.
- Flexion can also move inwards towards the body or forward, such as with hips or shoulders.
-
Muscles of the Humerus that Act on the Forearm
- Humerus that act on the forearm are primarily involved in flexion and extension.
-
Neck Muscles
- Three columnar muscles in the intermediate layer are responsible for flexion and extension of the neck as well as posture maintenance.
- Actions – Abduction, adduction, extension, flexion, and rotation of the neck depending on intra and inter-muscle contractions.