When bending the elbow, what type of movement is occurring?

The movement occurring when bending the elbow is classified as flexion. Flexion refers to a decrease in the angle between the bones that form a joint, which in the case of the elbow joint, involves bringing the forearm closer to the upper arm. As the forearm moves towards the shoulder, the angle at the elbow decreases, which defines the action of flexion.

In contrast, extension is the opposite movement, where the angle at a joint increases. Dorsiflexion specifically refers to the movement of raising the foot upwards at the ankle and is unrelated to the elbow joint. Abduction involves moving a limb away from the midline of the body and also does not apply to the action of bending the elbow. Understanding these definitions clarifies that flexion, specifically of the elbow, is the correct term for this motion.