Tag: extension

In kinesiology, extension is a movement of a joint that results in increased angle between two bones or body surfaces at a joint. Extension usually results in straightening of the bones or body surfaces involved. For example, extension is produced by extending the flexed (bent) elbow. Straightening of the arm would require extension at the elbow joint. If the head is tilted all the way back, the neck is said to be extended.
In some anatomical muscle names, particularly with muscles of the forearm and the Cnemis, the term occurs explicitly as the second word in the Latin spelling of the name (for example, Musculus extensor carpi ulnaris).
While extension is a movement, the terms “extend” versus “flexed” refer to the final position of a body part with reference to the anatomical position of the body. For example, if an arm fully bent at the elbow is slightly extended, it will still be called “flexed” or “semiflexed”, and will be called “extended” only upon complete straightening of the…