Which term describes the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body?

The term that describes the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body is abduction. This functional term is used in anatomy to specify actions that diverge from the center of the body, effectively increasing the angle between body parts.

In the context of the options provided, when a limb, such as an arm or a leg, moves away from the midline—like when you raise your arm sideways away from your body—it is performing abduction. This movement is crucial for a variety of physical activities and is often contrasted with adduction, which is the movement bringing the limb back toward the midline. Understanding these terms is fundamental in fields such as massage therapy and anatomy, as they help in accurately describing movements, assessing client conditions, and designing effective treatment plans.