Final answer:
Abduction in medical terminology is the movement of a limb away from the midline of the body, such as lifting arms or legs to the side. Adduction brings the limb towards the midline, and circumduction involves circular limb movements.
Step-by-step explanation:
In medical terminology, abduction refers to the movement in the coronal plane that moves a limb laterally away from the midline of the body, such as when you lift your arms or legs straight out to the side. An important aspect of abduction and its related terms is how they describe body movements. For instance, when you spread your fingers, that is also considered abduction. Conversely, adduction is the movement that brings a limb medially toward or across the midline of the body, like bringing your arms down to the side of your body.
Another related term, circumduction, involves a limb's movement in a circular motion, which is a combination of flexion, adduction, extension, and abduction movements. This is observed in joints such as the shoulder or hip. Understanding these terms is essential for professionals in the medical and health fields, as they are used to describe how bones and limbs are positioned or moved in different circumstances.