In the frontal plane, which movement brings a limb toward the midline?

• A. Abduction
• B. Adduction
• C. Flexion
• D. Extension

Answer: (B)

Moving a limb toward the midline in the frontal plane is adduction. The frontal plane runs side to side, and adduction brings the limb closer to the body's midline (for example, lowering a raised arm back toward the body or bringing the leg inward). Abduction is the opposite—moving away from the midline, such as lifting the arm out to the side.

Flexion and extension, on the other hand, primarily occur in the sagittal plane and involve changing the angle of a joint (flexion decreases the angle; extension increases it), rather than moving toward or away from the midline.