Retraction

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 Retraction (in the context of a term to describe movement of the body):

Retraction is movement of a body part in the posterior direction, i.e. being drawn backwards.

The movement of retraction is the opposite of the movement of protraction.

The word retraction can be used to describe a movement so it could be used in a sentence such as:

"Retraction of the shoulders is part of some routines in gymnastics, acrobatics and dance."

The only joints capable of retraction are the shoulder joint and the jaw.


Examples of Retraction:

  1. An example of retraction is moving the jaw bones backwards (e.g. as if grinding teeth).
  1. An example of shoulder retraction (i.e. moving the scapula bone backwards) is shown below:


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.


Click for pages related to muscles

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