Bending a joint.

Bending a joint.

• A. Extension
• B. Abduction
• C. Flexion
• D. Adduction

Answer: (C)

Flexion is the movement that bends a joint by decreasing the angle between the two bones. When you bend the elbow or knee, the forearm or lower leg moves toward the upper arm or thigh, respectively, and the joint angle gets smaller. That exact action—reducing the angle through bending—is what flexion describes. In contrast, extension straightens a joint to increase the angle. Abduction moves a limb away from the body's midline, while adduction brings it toward the midline. So bending a joint fits flexion best.

Flexion is the movement that bends a joint by decreasing the angle between the two bones. When you bend the elbow or knee, the forearm or lower leg moves toward the upper arm or thigh, respectively, and the joint angle gets smaller. That exact action—reducing the angle through bending—is what flexion describes.

In contrast, extension straightens a joint to increase the angle. Abduction moves a limb away from the body's midline, while adduction brings it toward the midline. So bending a joint fits flexion best.