For shoulder ROM in abduction/adduction, which statement is correct?

For shoulder ROM in abduction/adduction, which statement is correct?

• A. Abduction moves the arm toward the midline.
• B. Abduction moves the arm away from the body to shoulder level.
• C. Adduction moves the arm away from the body.
• D. Adduction involves rotating the arm in a circular motion.

Answer: (B)

Abduction is movement away from the body's midline, while adduction is toward it. When testing shoulder ROM, abduction means lifting the arm out to the side, away from the trunk, typically reaching to shoulder level or higher. That makes the statement describing abduction as moving the arm away from the body to shoulder level correct. The other options either describe moving toward the midline (adduction), or describe rotation/circumduction, which are different types of movements.

Abduction is movement away from the body's midline, while adduction is toward it. When testing shoulder ROM, abduction means lifting the arm out to the side, away from the trunk, typically reaching to shoulder level or higher. That makes the statement describing abduction as moving the arm away from the body to shoulder level correct. The other options either describe moving toward the midline (adduction), or describe rotation/circumduction, which are different types of movements.