Elevation
This is the Joint Movements section about the types of movements between bones at joints in the body.
The expressions listed in this category could also be described as:
- actions at joints
- actions of muscles, or
- muscle actions
For a single list of all the movements of the body included in this section see types of movements at joints.
Definition of elevation in the context of movement of the body:
Elevation is the upward movement of structures of the body.
For example, elevation of a shoulder joint raises the corresponding arm vertically upwards, rather than outwards, to the side or in any other direction.
The movement of elevation is the opposite of the movement of depression.
The word elevation can be used to describe a movement such as in the sentence:
"Elevation of the shoulder girdle involves several muscles."
A muscle whose action (or one of its main actions) is the elevation of a structure of the body such as bones or tissues is called a levator.
An example of a levator muscle is the levator scapula ('levator scapulae' in the plural as there are two of these muscles, one on either side of the neck) which is involved in raising the shoulder blade, which is called the scapula (bone).
Examples of Elevation:
- Elevation of the shoulder girdle:
The action of shrugging the shoulders is an example of elevation of the shoulder girdle. The muscles involved in elevating the shoulder girdle are the upper fibers of trapezius, levator scapulae, rhomboid major and rhomboid minor. - Elevation of the hip:
Hip elevation is simply raising one hip vertically upwards. This is most easily demonstrated by standing on the edge of a step - as shown in the following video clip.
Re. Elevation of the hip:
See also list of definitions of muscle terminology (words used to convey information about specific muscles) - useful for studying human anatomy and physiology, sports sciences e.g. physical education (PE), physiotherapy, and other health sciences.
About this section:
This is the Joint Movements section, which is about the types of movements between bones at joints in the body. Alternatively, terms listed in this category could be described as:
- actions at joints,
- actions of muscles or
- muscle actions.
For a single list summarizing all the movements of the body included in this section see
types of movements at joints.
See also definitions of muscle terminology (words used to convey information about specific muscles) - useful for studying human anatomy and physiology, sports sciences e.g. physical education (PE), physiotherapy, and other health sciences.
- Anterior Muscles
- Posterior Muscles
- Facial Muscles
- Muscle Terminology (Definitions)
- 1. Structure of Muscle
- 2. Structure of Muscle Cells
- 3. Muscle Filaments
- 4. Sliding Filament Theory
- 5. Neuromuscular Junction
- 6. Actions at Neuromuscular Junction
- Types of Muscle Contractions
- Muscular Disorders
- Effects of exercise on muscles
