circumduktio

Circumduktio, or circumduction in English, is a complex joint movement in which the distal end of a limb traces a roughly circular path while the proximal segment remains relatively stationary. It results from a combination of flexion, abduction, extension, and adduction, typically with small accompanying rotations at the involved joint. Because true circumduction requires movement in multiple planes, it is most commonly described at multi-axial joints.

Etymology and usage: The term circumduktio appears in some Latinized or historical anatomical texts; the more widely used English term is circumduction. In standard anatomy, circumduction is treated as a composite movement rather than a single primitive motion.

Anatomy and examples: The shoulder (glenohumeral joint) and hip (acetabulofemoral joint) are capable of circumduction due to their broad, ball-and-socket ranges of motion. In daily activity, the arm or leg can move in a circular arc as part of reaching or swinging motions. Joints with limited planes of movement, such as hinge joints (elbow, knee), do not perform true circumduction. The wrist and forearm can contribute to a circumductive pattern as part of complex hand orientation.

Clinical relevance: Assessing circumduction helps evaluate overall range of motion, joint integrity, and muscle flexibility. Abnormal circumduction—whether restricted or exaggerated—can indicate shoulder or hip pathology, rotator cuff issues, or musculoskeletal imbalance.

See also: Circumduction, range of motion, joint movements, ball-and-socket joints.