What does flexion mean in terms of body movement?

Flexion refers to the action of bending a body part, which typically decreases the angle between two parts. For instance, when one bends their elbow, bringing the forearm closer to the upper arm, this movement is classified as flexion. In the context of joints, flexion is frequently observed in various parts of the body, such as the knees, hips, and fingers, where the movement results in a reduction of the angle at the joint. Understanding flexion is crucial for grasping the mechanics of body movements, particularly in fields such as anatomy, physiology, and physical therapy.