How is lateral flexion defined?

Lateral flexion is defined as the movement of the head and/or trunk laterally away from the midline. This specific movement involves bending to the side, which can occur in the neck or the spine. It is an important concept in understanding body mechanics, particularly concerning flexibility and range of motion in various physical activities. Lateral flexion is often utilized in exercises, yoga poses, and physical rehabilitation as it contributes to improved mobility and balance.

The other options do not accurately represent lateral flexion. For instance, movement of the hands away from the trunk pertains to shoulder abduction rather than lateral bending of the torso or head. Circular movement of a joint refers to actions like circumduction, which involves moving the limb in a circular fashion rather than just bending sideways. Similarly, rotational movement of the legs speaks more to actions like turning or pivoting, not the lateral bending characteristic of lateral flexion. Hence, the identification of the lateral flexion definition is directly aligned with the sideward movement of the head and trunk away from the central axis of the body.