What is abduction in medical terms?

In medical terms, abduction refers to the movement of a body part away from the midline of the body. It is the opposite of adduction, which is the movement of a body part towards the midline of the body. Abduction is performed by muscles that are located on the lateral (outer) side of the body.

Here are some examples of abduction:

* Abduction of the arm: This is the movement of the arm away from the body, out to the side.

* Abduction of the leg: This is the movement of the leg away from the body, out to the side.

* Abduction of the thumb: This is the movement of the thumb away from the palm of the hand, out to the side.

Abduction is a common movement that is used in everyday activities, such as reaching out to pick up an object, walking, and turning around. It is also an important movement in many sports, such as swimming, tennis, and baseball.