Basic
Human
Motion
Rotation of the Upper Extremity
(Coronal View)
External Rotation of the Shoulder
Rotation of the arm out or away from the midline of the body.
It results in the hand also being moved away from the body's midline.
Also known as lateral rotation.
The arm is externally rotated at the shoulder.
The elbow cannot not externally rotate independent of the shoulder.
This Motion occurs in the coronal and transverse planes.
(Coronal View)
(Transverse View)
Internal Rotation of the Shoulder
Rotation of the arm toward the midline of the body.
It results in the hand also being moved toward the body's midline.
Also known as medial rotation.
The arm is internally rotated at the shoulder.
The elbow cannot not internally rotate independent of the shoulder.
This Motion occurs in the coronal and transverse planes.
(Sagittal View)
External Rotation of the Shoulder
Rotation of the arm superior (up).
It results in the hand also being moved superior.
Also known as outward rotation.
With the humerus abducted and the elbow bent to 90 degrees, the arm is rotated at the shoulder.
This motion occurs in the sagittal plane.
Internal Rotation of the Shoulder
Rotation of the arm inferior (down).
It results in the hand also being moved inferior.
Also known as inward rotation.
With the humerus abducted and the elbow bent to 90 degrees, the arm is rotated at the shoulder.
This Motion occurs in the sagittal plane.
(Coronal View)
(elbow flexed)
Pronation
Pronation is a motion that occurs in the forearm.
It is a rotation of the radius in relationship to the humerus.
With the arm extended at a right angle to the body the forearm rotates so that the palm of the hand faces down.
(Coronal View)
(elbow flexed)
Supination
Supination is a motion that occurs in the forearm.
It is a rotation of the radius in relationship to the humerus.
With the arm extended at a right angle to the body the forearm rotates so that the palm of the hand faces up.
(Coronal View)
(elbow extended)
Circumduction
Circumduction is a circular movement of a limb.
Circumduction is one of the four basic movements allowed by the joints of the body.
It is the combination of adduction, abduction, flexion, and extension.
Circumduction of the arm occurs when the head of the humerus rotates within the glenoid fossa of the scapula (ball & socket joint).
The rotary motion of the humerus creates a cone like rotation of the arm.