Question

A ball-and-socket joint is capable of a complex movement that involves flexion, extension, adduction, and abduction performed in rapid succession called __________.

Answer 1

Circumduction

This type of movement from a ball-and-socket joint involving flexion (bending movement around the joint), extension (straightening of the joint), adduction (moving towards the midline of the body), and abduction (moving away from the body), follows a circular or conical path--hence, the term "circumduction."

The most common examples of circumduction are those of the arms, from the shoulder joint, and the legs, from the hip joint.