What is the term for the movement of a bone towards the midline of the body?

The term that refers to the movement of a bone towards the midline of the body is adduction. This movement decreases the angle between body parts, bringing them closer together and resulting in the structure being positioned closer to the center of the body. For example, when you lift your arms from your sides and then bring them back down towards your body, that is an example of adduction.

In contrast, the term abduction refers to the movement away from the midline, which increases the angle between body parts. Elevation is a movement that raises a body part, such as shrugging the shoulders, while protraction refers to moving a body part forward, like sticking the jaw out. Understanding these terms is essential for accurately describing movements in physical fitness and anatomy.