Which movement describes rotating a hip or shoulder toward the midline?

Which movement describes rotating a hip or shoulder toward the midline?

• A. Internal rotation
• B. External rotation
• C. Circumduction
• D. Rotation

Answer: (A)

Internal rotation is the movement that turns a limb toward the body's midline. In the hip or shoulder, this means rotating the bone so the front (anterior) surface moves closer to the center of the body. For example, turning the arm so the palm faces inward toward the opposite shoulder or turning the leg so the kneecap and toes point slightly inward—the limb is rotating toward the midline. External rotation is the opposite, moving the limb away from the midline. Circumduction involves a circular path that combines multiple movements, not just turning toward the midline. Rotation by itself can be ambiguous, but when we specify toward the midline, we’re describing internal rotation.

Internal rotation is the movement that turns a limb toward the body's midline. In the hip or shoulder, this means rotating the bone so the front (anterior) surface moves closer to the center of the body. For example, turning the arm so the palm faces inward toward the opposite shoulder or turning the leg so the kneecap and toes point slightly inward—the limb is rotating toward the midline. External rotation is the opposite, moving the limb away from the midline. Circumduction involves a circular path that combines multiple movements, not just turning toward the midline. Rotation by itself can be ambiguous, but when we specify toward the midline, we’re describing internal rotation.