Flexion
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Bending a joint so the bones come closer together.
Detail
Flexion is a bending movement that brings bones together. Examples include bending the elbow joint to draw the hand toward the shoulder, and bending the knee in the lower extremity. An important exception applies to the shoulder joint: moving the humerus to the front from the side is considered flexion of the shoulder joint (not adduction). Source attributes the movement terminology to Thompson (1989).
Key facts
- Flexion = bending; bringing bones together.
- Elbow example: hand drawn toward the shoulder.
- Knee example: bending the knee.
- Shoulder exception: moving the humerus forward from the side is shoulder flexion.
Connections
- Extension — the opposite (straightening) movement.
- Horizontal Flexion (Adduction) — a horizontal-plane variant at the shoulder.
- Spinal Column (Vertebral Column) — spine performs flexion as one of its movements.
Sources
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Educational content only — not medical advice. Always consult a qualified professional for individualized guidance, especially around injury, pregnancy, or medical conditions.