Final answer:
Abduction is the movement of a limb away from the body's midline, with a typical shoulder range of 0 to 180 degrees, while adduction is bringing the limb toward or across the midline, with a range of 0 to around 50 degrees for the shoulder. Movements of the fingers, toes, and thumb also involve abduction and adduction, which are important for physical therapists to assess in cases of injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the normal range of abduction and adduction, which are movements that occur within the coronal plane involving medial-lateral motions of the limbs and digits. Abduction is the motion that moves a limb laterally away from the midline of the body, while adduction brings a limb medially back toward or across the midline. In the context of the shoulder joint, for example, normal abduction occurs as the arm is lifted laterally out to the side of the body and is typically within the range of 0 to 180 degrees. Adduction moves the arm back down and across the body and can usually move from 0 to around 50 degrees, depending on the individual's flexibility and joint structure.
Spreading the fingers or toes apart constitutes abduction, and bringing them together is adduction. Abduction for the thumb involves moving it to a 90° perpendicular position from the palm, while adduction brings it back to the anatomical position adjacent to the index finger. These movements are essential for physical therapists to assess when creating a rehabilitation plan, particularly if an injury, such as one sustained during an activity like kayaking, has occurred.