Adduction

Adduction refers to a motion that pulls a structure or part toward the midline of the body, or towards the midline of a limb. (The center of the body is defined as the midsagittal plane). For example, dropping the arms to the sides, or bringing the knees together, are examples of adduction.

In the case of fingers and toes, it refers to bringing the digits together, towards from the centerline of the hand or foot. Abduction of the wrist is also called ulnar deviation.

HINT: It can help to pronounce adduction as “A-Dee-duction” since abduction and adduction sound similar. A way to remember this is that the bump of the “d” in adduction faces toward from the “A” just like the movement in adduction is toward the body.