In anatomical terms, what does abduction refer to?

Abduction refers specifically to the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body. This term is used primarily in the context of limbs, where, for example, raising your arms or legs laterally away from the center of your body constitutes abduction. Understanding this definition is crucial in fields such as anatomy, physiotherapy, and sports science, as it assists in describing movements accurately.

The other terms listed address different types of movements and stabilization. Moving toward the midline is known as adduction. Rotating the limb describes a different motion altogether, known as rotation, which involves turning the limb around its axis. Stabilizing the joint refers to maintaining the position of a joint, which is a function necessary for proper movement but does not correspond to any specific directional movement like abduction does.