List of movements of the human body
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The list below describes such skeletal movements as normally are possible in particular joints of the human body. Other animals have different degrees of movement at their respective joints; this is because of differences in positions of muscles and because structures peculiar to the bodies of humans and other species block motions unsuited to their anatomies.
Shoulder
| Movement | Muscles | Origin | Insertion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flexion (150°–170°) |
Anterior fibers of deltoid | Clavicle | Middle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus |
| Clavicular part of pectoralis major | Clavicle | Lateral lip of bicipital groove of humerus | |
| Long head of biceps brachii | Supraglenoid tubercle of scapula | Tuberosity of radius, Deep fascia of forearm | |
| Short head of biceps brachii | Coracoid process of scapula | ||
| Coracobrachialis | Coracoid process | Medial aspect of shaft of humerus | |
| Extension (40°) |
Posterior fibers of deltoid | Spine of scapula | Middle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus |
| Latissimus dorsi | Iliac crest, lumbar fascia, spines of lower six thoracic vertebrae, lower 3–4 ribs, inferior angle of scapula | Floor of bicipital groove of humerus | |
| Teres major | Lateral border of scapula | Medial lip of bicipital groove of humerus | |
| Abduction (160°–180°) |
Middle fibers of deltoid | Acromion process of scapula | Middle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus |
| Supraspinatus | Supraspinous fossa of scapula | Greater tubercle of humerus | |
| Adduction (30°–40°) |
Sternal part of pectoralis major | Sternum, upper six costal cartilages | Lateral lip of bicipital groove of humerus |
| Latissimus dorsi | Iliac crest, lumbar fascia, spines of lower six thoracic vertebrae, lower 3-4 ribs, inferior angle of scapula | Floor of bicipital groove of humerus | |
| Teres major | Lower third of lateral border of scapula | Medial lip of bicipital groove of humerus | |
| Teres minor | Upper two thirds of lateral border of scapula | Greater tubercle of humerus | |
| Lateral rotation (in abduction: 95°; in adduction: 70°) |
Infraspinatus | Infraspinous fossa of scapula | Greater tubercle of humerus |
| Teres minor | Upper two thirds of lateral border of scapula | Greater tubercle of humerus | |
| Posterior fibers of deltoid | Spine of scapula | Middle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus | |
| Medial rotation (in abduction: 40°–50°; in adduction: 70°) |
Subscapularis | Subscapular fossa | Lesser tubercle of humerus |
| Latissimus dorsi | Iliac crest, lumbar fascia, spines of lower 3-4 ribs, inferior angle of scapula | Floor of bicipital groove of humerus | |
| Teres major | Lower third of lateral border of scapula | Medial lip of bicipital groove of humerus | |
| Anterior fibers of deltoid | Clavicle | Middle of lateral surface of shaft of humerus |
The major muscles involved in retraction include the rhomboid major muscle, rhomboid minor muscle and trapezius muscle,[2][3] whereas the major muscles involved in protraction include the serratus anterior and pectoralis minor muscles.[4][5]
Sternoclavicular and acromioclavicular joints
| Scapula and clavicula | Abduction (Protraction) | Adduction (Retraction) |
| Depression | Elevation | |
| Rotation Upward (Superior Rotation) | Rotation Downward (Inferior Rotation) |
Elbow
| Joint | From | To | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humeroulnar joint | trochlear notch of the ulna | trochlea of humerus | Is a simple hinge-joint, and allows of movements of flexion and extension only. |
| Humeroradial joint | head of the radius | capitulum of the humerus | Is a ball-and-socket joint. |
| Superior radioulnar joint | head of the radius | radial notch of the ulna | In any position of flexion or extension, the radius, carrying the hand with it, can be rotated in it. This movement includespronation and supination. |
Wrist and fingers
| Wrist & Midcarpals | Flexion | Extension / Hyperextension |
| Adduction (Ulna Deviation) | Abduction (Radial Deviation) |
Movements of the fingers
| Metacarpophalangeal | Flexion | Extension / Hyperextension |
| Adduction | Abduction | |
| Interphalangeal | Flexion | Extension |
Movements of the thumb
| Carpometacarpal (thumb) | Flexion | Extension |
| Adduction | Abduction | |
| Opposition | ||
| Metacarpophalangeal (thumb) | Flexion | Extension |
| Adduction | Abduction | |
| Interphalangeal (thumb) | Flexion | Extension / Hyperextension |
Neck
| Neck (Atlantoccipital & Antlantoaxial) | Flexion | Extension / Hyperextension |
| Lateral Flexion (Abduction) | Reduction (Adduction) | |
| Rotation |