- Flexion
In
anatomy , flexion is a position that is made possible by the joint angle decreasing. The skeletal (bone s,cartilage , andligaments ) and muscular (muscle s andtendons ) systems work together to move the joint into a "flexed" position. For example theelbow is flexed when thehand is brought closer to theshoulder . Thetrunk may be flexed toward thelegs or theneck to thechest .The opposite term is extension, or straightening. Flexion "decreases" the angle between the bones of the limb at a joint, and extension "increases" it.
Note that specific flexion activities may occur only along the
sagittal plane , i.e. from the forward to backward direction, and not side-to-side direction, which is further discussed in abduction.Exercises
Active
range of motion exercises include movements such as flexion and extension. These exercises are used after an injury or surgery. They are done by a physical therapist or nurse initially, and may be continued by the patient.In the healing process, active range of motion exercises, should avoid forcing the appendage into the extension or flexion position. The stress induced may re-injure the affected appendage (limb).
Muscles of flexion
Upper limb
* of
arm , atshoulder [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Shoulder.html#anchor102874 Shoulder Articulations ] ]
**Anterior compartment of the arm
***Coracobrachialis
***Biceps brachii * of
forearm , atelbow [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Elbow.html#anchor764071 Elbow Articulations ] ]
**Anterior compartment of the arm
***Biceps brachii
***Brachialis
***Brachioradialis
**Anterior compartment of the forearm
***Pronator teres
***Flexor carpi radialis
***Palmaris longus
***Flexor carpi ulnaris
***Flexor digitorum superficialis * of
hand , atwrist [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Wrist.html#anchor260949 Wrist Articulations ] ]
**Anterior compartment of the forearm
***Flexor carpi radialis
***Palmaris longus
***Flexor carpi ulnaris
***Flexor digitorum superficialis
***Flexor digitorum profundus * of
proximal phalanges , atmetacarpophalangeal joint [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Fingers.html#anchor801484 Finger Articulations ] ]
**Lumbricals of the hand
**Dorsal interossei of the hand
**Palmar interossei
** Flexor digiti minimi brevis (little finger only)* of
intermediate phalanges , atproximal interphalangeal joints [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Fingers.html#anchor783387 Finger Articulations ] ]
**Flexor digitorum superficialis * of
distal phalanges , atdistal interphalangeal joints
**Flexor digitorum profundus * of
thumb [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Thumb.html#anchor206196 Thumb Articulations ] ] [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Thumb.html#anchor212077 Thumb Articulations ] ]
**Flexor pollicis longus
**Flexor pollicis brevis Lower limb
* of
femur /thigh athip (L1-L2) [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Hip.html#anchor845056 Hip Articulations ] ]
**Iliopsoas
**Tensor fasciae latae
**Rectus femoris
** (additional minor contributions from otherhip flexors )* of
leg atknee (L5-S2) [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Knee.html#anchor22052 Knee Articulations ] ]
**Posterior compartment of thigh /Hamstring s
*** Biceps femoris
*** Semitendinosus
*** Semimembranosus
** Gracilis
** Sartorius
**Tensor fasciae latae
** Gastrocnemius
** Popliteus
** Plantaris (negligible)* of
toes
**Posterior compartment of leg
***Flexor hallucis longus
***Flexor digitorum longus
**Flexor digitorum brevis
**Quadratus plantae
**Flexor hallucis brevis
** Flexor digiti minimi brevis* of
proximal phalanges atmetatarsophalangeal joint [ [http://www.exrx.net/Articulations/Toes.html#anchor229680 Foot Articulations ] ]
**Lumbrical muscle (foot)
**Plantar interossei
**Dorsal interossei Other
*
torso /lumbar vertebrae
**Rectus abdominis muscle *
neck atatlanto-occipital joint
**Longus capitis muscle ee also
*
Hip flexors
=AdditionalReferences
External links
*
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