Which movement involves moving a body part toward the midline?

The movement that involves bringing a body part closer to the midline of the body is called adduction. In anatomical terms, the midline refers to an imaginary line that divides the body into equal right and left halves. When a limb or other body part moves toward this line, it is considered adduction.

For example, if you stand with your arms at your sides and then move them inward toward your torso, you are performing adduction. This contrasts with abduction, where the movement would take the limbs away from the midline.

Understanding these terms helps clarify how various movements contribute to body mechanics and physical function. Having a solid grasp of these concepts is crucial for health professionals when assessing patient mobility and movement patterns.