flexieextensie

Flexieextensie, or flexion-extension, is a fundamental concept in anatomy and biomechanics describing the angular movement around a joint’s axis that decreases (flexie) or increases (extensie) the angle between adjacent body segments. These movements typically occur in the sagittal plane and are defined relative to a neutral anatomical position. The term applies to many joints, including the elbow, knee, fingers, and segments of the spine; hinge joints mainly perform flexion and extension, while ball-and-socket joints allow additional planes of motion, with flexion-extension remaining a core component.

In clinical practice, flexieextensie is used to describe a joint’s range of motion (ROM). Movement is measured with tools such as a goniometer, and typical evaluations assess both flexion and extension limits. Limitations in either direction can indicate injury, stiffness, or pathology. Hyperextension refers to extension beyond the neutral position.

Beyond human anatomy, flexieextensie is relevant in biomechanics, robotics, prosthetics, and animation, where controlled flexion and extension produce natural and functional movement profiles. Understanding the range and limits of flexion and extension helps in designing devices, evaluating performance, and planning rehabilitation or surgical interventions.

Etymologically, flexie comes from the concept of bending, while extensie relates to straightening or extending. The combined term encapsulates the full active or passive range between bending and straightening a joint, across various anatomical regions and applications.