What does abduction refer to in anatomical movement?

Abduction refers to the anatomical movement of a limb or body part away from the midline of the body. This term is commonly used in various contexts, such as describing the movement of the arms or legs. For instance, when you raise your arms straight out to the sides, they are moving in an abduction movement. This action is crucial in many physical activities and forms the basis for understanding more complex movements in anatomy and biomechanics.

The correct identification of abduction as moving away from the midline helps in distinguishing it from other movements like adduction, which is the opposite—bringing a limb closer to the midline. Understanding this distinction is vital for massage therapists and other healthcare professionals when assessing movement patterns and potential musculoskeletal issues in clients.