What is the term used to describe the action of taking an extremity away from the midline of the body?

The term used to describe the action of taking an extremity away from the midline of the body is abduction. This movement involves an increase in the angle between the limb and the midline, effectively moving the limb laterally. For instance, when you lift your arm to the side, you are performing abduction of the shoulder.

In contrast, adduction refers to the movement of a limb toward the midline, which is the opposite action of abduction. Flexion and extension relate to movements that decrease or increase the angle between body parts, typically at joints, and therefore do not pertain to the movement of limbs in relation to the midline.

Understanding these terms is essential for accurately describing body movements, which is crucial in emergency care contexts.