What is the term for movement away from the midline of the body?

The term for movement away from the midline of the body is "abduction." This term is derived from the Latin word "abducere," which means "to lead away." In anatomical terms, the midline of the body refers to an imaginary line that divides the body into right and left halves. When a limb or body part moves away from this line, such as when you lift your arm away from your side or spread your fingers apart, that movement is classified as abduction.

In contrast, adduction refers to movement toward the midline, flexion involves bending a joint to decrease the angle between body parts, and extension refers to straightening a joint to increase the angle between body parts. Understanding these terms is crucial for accurately describing anatomical movements and is often used in clinical assessments, physical therapy, and exercise science.