Abduction

Definition

Movement of a limb away from the body's midline. Not kidnapping, despite what the name suggests, though your physical therapist might disagree during rehab.

Example Usage

The orthopedic surgeon tested shoulder abduction by asking the patient to raise their arm sideways, checking if surgery had restored their ability to hail cabs.

Origin

From Latin 'abducere,' meaning 'to lead away'

Fun Fact

The opposite movement is adduction (toward midline), making anatomy students curse whoever decided these near-identical words should mean opposite things.

Source: Anatomy and physical therapy terminology

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