Final answer:
The term for bending of a joint is flexion, which decreases the angle between the bones at the joint, while extension is increasing the angle, and hyperextension is moving beyond the normal range.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term that refers to the bending of a joint is flexion. Flexion is an angular movement in which the angle between the bones of the joint decreases. For instance, when you move your forearm upward at the elbow, you are performing flexion. Other terms associated with joint movements include extension, which is the opposite of flexion and increases the angle between the bones of the joint, and hyperextension, which refers to extending a joint beyond its normal range. An example of hyperextension could be moving the neck back to look upwards. Additionally, dorsiflexion is a specific type of flexion that occurs at the ankle, where the top of the foot is brought closer to the shin.