What term describes the action of lowering a body part?

What term describes the action of lowering a body part?

• A. Depression
• B. Elevation
• C. Protraction
• D. Retraction

Answer: (A)

Movement terminology for body parts in a vertical direction is being tested. Depression describes lowering a body part; for example, lowering the jaw when you open your mouth or lowering the shoulders (scapular depression). It is the opposite of elevation, which raises a part. Protraction and retraction involve moving a part forward or backward along the horizontal plane, not vertical lowering, so they don’t describe the action being asked about.

Movement terminology for body parts in a vertical direction is being tested. Depression describes lowering a body part; for example, lowering the jaw when you open your mouth or lowering the shoulders (scapular depression). It is the opposite of elevation, which raises a part. Protraction and retraction involve moving a part forward or backward along the horizontal plane, not vertical lowering, so they don’t describe the action being asked about.