What is flexion of the shoulder?

Flexion of the shoulder refers to the movement that involves lifting the arm in front of the body, which can be understood as raising the straightened arm up and over the head. This movement reduces the angle between the arm and the shoulder joint, bringing the arm upward closer to the head.

In the context of shoulder anatomy and movement, flexion typically involves the anterior deltoid and pectoralis major muscles. By performing this action, the individual is engaging muscles that are responsible for moving the arm in a way that is essential in various daily activities, such as reaching for something above or in front of them.

The other movements do not align with the definition of shoulder flexion. Lowering the arm to the side is more associated with shoulder adduction or extension, while rotating the arm backward is classified as shoulder external rotation. Lastly, extending the arm forward moves the arm away from the body in a straight line, which is not considered flexion but rather another form of extension or shoulder movement.