Protraction vs Retraction Anatomy Quiz
1. When you try to touch your elbows behind your back, what movement occurs in the scapula bones?
a. Retraction
b. Retrusion
c. Protraction
d. Protrusion
The answer is a, retraction. Retraction brings the scapula bones to a posteromedial position (back and toward
the body’s midline). Remember, you retract when you reach back!
2. When you punch in front of you, which movement occurs?
a. Retraction
b. Retrusion
c. Protraction
d. Protrusion
The answer is c, protraction. Remember, protraction has the shoulder moving anteriorly. The serratus anterior
muscle assists with this motion, and it is called the boxer’s muscle. You punch to protract!
3. Which motion best describes retraction?
a. The scapulae move in a posterior/medial direction (posteromedial)
b. The scapulae move in an anterior/lateral direction (anterolateral)
c. The scapulae only move anteriorly
d. The scapulae only move posteriorly
The answer is a, the scapulae move back (posteriorly) and toward the midline (medially) during retraction
(posteromedial). If you try to touch the elbows behind the back, your shoulder blades retract.
4. Which motion best describes protraction?
a. The scapulae move in a posterior/medial direction (posteromedial)
b. The scapulae move in an anterior/lateral direction (anterolateral)
c. The scapulae only move anteriorly
d. The scapulae only move posteriorly
The answer is b, the scapulae move in an anterior/lateral direction (anterolateral). This motion can be achieved
by punching or touching the elbows together in the front.
1. When you try to touch your elbows behind your back, what movement occurs in the scapula bones?
a. Retraction
b. Retrusion
c. Protraction
d. Protrusion
The answer is a, retraction. Retraction brings the scapula bones to a posteromedial position (back and toward
the body’s midline). Remember, you retract when you reach back!
2. When you punch in front of you, which movement occurs?
a. Retraction
b. Retrusion
c. Protraction
d. Protrusion
The answer is c, protraction. Remember, protraction has the shoulder moving anteriorly. The serratus anterior
muscle assists with this motion, and it is called the boxer’s muscle. You punch to protract!
3. Which motion best describes retraction?
a. The scapulae move in a posterior/medial direction (posteromedial)
b. The scapulae move in an anterior/lateral direction (anterolateral)
c. The scapulae only move anteriorly
d. The scapulae only move posteriorly
The answer is a, the scapulae move back (posteriorly) and toward the midline (medially) during retraction
(posteromedial). If you try to touch the elbows behind the back, your shoulder blades retract.
4. Which motion best describes protraction?
a. The scapulae move in a posterior/medial direction (posteromedial)
b. The scapulae move in an anterior/lateral direction (anterolateral)
c. The scapulae only move anteriorly
d. The scapulae only move posteriorly
The answer is b, the scapulae move in an anterior/lateral direction (anterolateral). This motion can be achieved
by punching or touching the elbows together in the front.
