Which term describes the circular movement of a limb at the distal end?

Which term describes the circular movement of a limb at the distal end?

• A. Circumduction
• B. Rotation
• C. Pronation
• D. Supination

Answer: (A)

Circumduction is the movement where the distal end of a limb traces a circular path by combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction around a joint, with the proximal segment largely serving as a fixed pivot. This creates a cone-shaped sweep, so the far end moves in a circle while the base stays relatively steady. That circular distal motion specifically defines circumduction, unlike rotation (turning around the limb’s axis) or pronation/supination (forearm rotations that turn the palm).

Circumduction is the movement where the distal end of a limb traces a circular path by combining flexion, extension, abduction, and adduction around a joint, with the proximal segment largely serving as a fixed pivot. This creates a cone-shaped sweep, so the far end moves in a circle while the base stays relatively steady. That circular distal motion specifically defines circumduction, unlike rotation (turning around the limb’s axis) or pronation/supination (forearm rotations that turn the palm).