Plantaflexion
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.
Short definition of Plantaflexion:
Plantaflexion is forwards flexion or bending, as of the hand or foot.
E.g. flexion of the foot / ankle means rotating the toes downwards (away from the leg to which the ankle and foot is attached).
Plantaflexion of the foot is demonstrated and compared with dorsiflexion (which is the opposite of plantaflexion) in the following video clip - press the play button to start:
Examples of Plantaflexion:
- Plantaflexion of the foot is sometimes referred to as plantaflexion of the ankle. Whichever description of the movement is used, the meaning is the same: flexing the ankle joint so that the toes and underside of the foot rotate downwards (see video-clip).
- Plantaflexion of the hand is sometimes referred to as plantaflexion of the wrist. Whichever description of the movement is used, the meaning is the same: flexing the wrist joint so that the palm of the hand moves forwards - towards the lower-arm to which the wrist and hand is attached.
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
