Body Movement Terms Comprehensive Anatomy Quiz
1. Which statement best describes the gliding movement in anatomy?
a. A decrease in the angle between two structures
b. An increase in the angle between two structures
c. The movement created when the surfaces of bones slide over one another in a linear direction
d. A circular movement at the distal end of a structure
The answer is c. Gliding is the movement of bones moving past each other in a linear direction.
2. Gliding occurs at what type of joint?
a. Pivot joint
b. Ball-and-socket joint
c. Saddle joint
d. Plane joint
The answer is d, plane joint, also called a planar joint. This type of joint allows bones to glide over one another.
3. Abduction does which of the following?
a. It moves the structure toward the body’s midline reference point
b. It moves the structure in a circular motion
c. It moves the structure away from the body’s midline reference point
d. It rotates the structure around its long axis
The answer is c, abduction moves the structure away from the body’s midline reference point. Remember, when
you are abducted, you are being taken away.
4. Adduction describes which of the following?
a. It moves the structure toward the body’s midline reference point
, b. It moves the structure in a circular motion
c. It moves the structure away from the body’s midline reference point
d. It rotates the structure around its long axis
The answer is a, adduction moves the structure toward the body’s midline reference point. Remember, it “ADDs
it back to toward the midline.
5. Raising the arms to the side of the body while performing dumbbell lateral raises is an example of
what motion?
a. Circumduction
b. Flexion
c. Abduction
d. Adduction
The answer is c, abduction. Raising your arms at the side of the body is an example of abduction, and lowering
them down is an example of adduction.
6. Circumduction is classified as which type of body movement?
a. Rotational
b. Angular
c. Special
d. Gliding
The answer is b, angular. Circumduction is classified as an angular movement, as it combines flexion, abduction
extension, and adduction angular movements.
7. Circumduction is performed in the following sequence: flexion, abduction, extension, adduction, or
the reverse of the same sequence.
a. True
b. False
The answer is a, true. While you could start with either flexion or adduction, you must follow a similar order to
create the circular motion.
8. Pronation leaves the palms facing forward in the anatomical position.
a. True
b. False
The answer is b, false. Supination leaves the palms facing forward in the anatomical position.
9. During supination, the forearm rotates in which direction?
a. Medially
1. Which statement best describes the gliding movement in anatomy?
a. A decrease in the angle between two structures
b. An increase in the angle between two structures
c. The movement created when the surfaces of bones slide over one another in a linear direction
d. A circular movement at the distal end of a structure
The answer is c. Gliding is the movement of bones moving past each other in a linear direction.
2. Gliding occurs at what type of joint?
a. Pivot joint
b. Ball-and-socket joint
c. Saddle joint
d. Plane joint
The answer is d, plane joint, also called a planar joint. This type of joint allows bones to glide over one another.
3. Abduction does which of the following?
a. It moves the structure toward the body’s midline reference point
b. It moves the structure in a circular motion
c. It moves the structure away from the body’s midline reference point
d. It rotates the structure around its long axis
The answer is c, abduction moves the structure away from the body’s midline reference point. Remember, when
you are abducted, you are being taken away.
4. Adduction describes which of the following?
a. It moves the structure toward the body’s midline reference point
, b. It moves the structure in a circular motion
c. It moves the structure away from the body’s midline reference point
d. It rotates the structure around its long axis
The answer is a, adduction moves the structure toward the body’s midline reference point. Remember, it “ADDs
it back to toward the midline.
5. Raising the arms to the side of the body while performing dumbbell lateral raises is an example of
what motion?
a. Circumduction
b. Flexion
c. Abduction
d. Adduction
The answer is c, abduction. Raising your arms at the side of the body is an example of abduction, and lowering
them down is an example of adduction.
6. Circumduction is classified as which type of body movement?
a. Rotational
b. Angular
c. Special
d. Gliding
The answer is b, angular. Circumduction is classified as an angular movement, as it combines flexion, abduction
extension, and adduction angular movements.
7. Circumduction is performed in the following sequence: flexion, abduction, extension, adduction, or
the reverse of the same sequence.
a. True
b. False
The answer is a, true. While you could start with either flexion or adduction, you must follow a similar order to
create the circular motion.
8. Pronation leaves the palms facing forward in the anatomical position.
a. True
b. False
The answer is b, false. Supination leaves the palms facing forward in the anatomical position.
9. During supination, the forearm rotates in which direction?
a. Medially
